The Indianapolis Colts took two inside linebackers in the 2026 NFL Draft with a real chance of starting very early in their careers. Second-round selection CJ Allen is almost certain to start in Week 1. Fourth-round choice Bryce Boettcher might too.
That is how Boettcher is approaching the beginning of his NFL career, but he also has higher aspirations. Much higher. In fact, he doesn't presumably expect to make All-Pro teams, but he thinks he should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his career is done.
"I think I was gonna be a Hall of Famer in baseball," Boettcher told the media. "That’s been my mentality since I was little...But the same with football, I think I’m gonna be a Hall of Famer in 20 years. That's my mentality and always has been."
Bryce Boettcher said something that Indianapolis Colts fans should find exciting
Besides just making the Hall of Fame, something else Boettcher said in the above is a bit surprising. If he gets inducted in 20 years, one would assume he believes he will play well enough to be a first-ballot player. If that is so, then Boettcher must think he can play for 15 years, as he would be inducted five years after his career ends.
Of course, while one might view what the linebacker told himself as putting added pressure on himself, he certainly wouldn't agree with that. This is how he approaches the sport, any sport, so he is simply mentally preparing himself for what's to come.
Plus, why not totally believe in one's skill set? If the player doesn't, it is likely no one else will either. Imagine Allen meeting his own expectations of being a game-changing player, and then Boettcher meeting his goals. That would give the Colts one of the best off-ball linebacker duos in NFL history.
Hopefully, that starts in 2026. One of the failures of the Indianapolis Colts' defense in recent years has been poor inside linebacker play, especially in pass coverage. Longtime starter Zaire Franklin was traded this offseason to the Green Bay Packers, in part because he was awful in coverage.
Bryce Boettcher was quite good in pass coverage at the University of Oregon. Last year, he didn't allow a touchdown pass, but had an interception and three passes broken up. His quarterback rating allowed was a very good 74.7.
Of course, covering well in college and the NFL can be vastly different because professional players are bigger and faster. At least, Boettcher has shown he can be good in coverage. If he can show that in training camp, he could start for the Colts in real games soon thereafter. That might be just the beginning of his Pro Football Hall of Fame career.
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