The offseason workouts have officially begun, and the Colts will begin 11-on-11 next week. We are inching closer and closer to the start of the 2025 season. It goes without saying this is arguably the most important season for this franchise in quite some time. The season will be predicated on the success or failure of the quarterback position. The winner of the competition will be tasked with leading us back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season. The roster building will not stop, but some are under more pressure than others. Let’s look at the players who are on the hot seat by position.
Quarterback: Anthony Richardson
This is, without question, the biggest storyline of the offseason for this franchise. The impending camp(s) battle will be the most reported and watched of training camp. Richardson must show progress and improved health, or he and this entire staff could be finished. They put all their eggs in one basket when they drafted Richardson and hoped he would be the face of the franchise. He has not delivered, even though he has shown flashes of potential.
It’s been a predominant “two steps forward and three steps back” for most of his career. He has struggled to not only stay healthy, but has had issues just embracing everything that goes into being an NFL quarterback. It’s not surprising; he is still very young, but he must take a step forward this year. One of these quarterbacks must lead us to the playoffs, or the entire Colts staff will be looking for new work in 2026.
Running Back: Khalil Herbert
I know this might come as a surprise since I have written about how much I liked the acquisition in free agency. I still do, but with the Colts drafting Kansas State RB DJ Giddens, Herbert is back on the chopping block. The contract for Herbert is not a fully guaranteed deal, and a minimal dead cap hit if he was cut.
While no 5th round pick is guaranteed to make the roster, if you have watched his tape, you can see that Giddens has talent to not only make the team, but to contribute. Many believe Giddens fell in the draft and was more of a potential 3rd round pick. I do think they will go to Week 1 with both Herbert and Giddens on the roster, but if another RB emerges, then Herbert might be the odd man out.
Wide Receiver: Anthony Gould
The 2024 5th round pick lands on the hot seat as the Colts decided to bring back special teams ace Ashton Dulin. Gould saw limited action on the field last season, as Dulin covered the WR4 role and spot-starting as needed. Gould was brought in to be a returner on special teams more than anything.
Gould will need to carve out a role on either special teams or as a gadget guy in the offense. Keeping six in that room is possible, but Gould may have to be the returner if he wants to keep his spot on the roster.
Tight End: Will Mallory
Let’s preface this by saying, Jelani Woods has not been considered for the hot seat because he has not played. Until he shows us that he can play and produce, he will not be on this team. So, with that said, the one tight end left with question marks is Will Mallory. The odd man out on gameday rosters was Mallory most of the time. With the franchise drafting Tyler Warren in the first round, the room jumbles even more.
Mallory has plenty of talent, but with the addition of Warren and the unexpected return of Mo Alie-Cox, his spot on the roster will truly have to be earned this year. Still, there is plenty of time and opportunity for him, but it won’t be as simple as last season, where the room was so bad they just took what they had.
Offensive Line: Blake Freeland
There was so much promise when he was drafted in 2023 out of Brigham Young. He shot up draft boards after recording a 37” vertical jump at the NFL Combine, which is the record for an offensive lineman. Freeland did see a lot of time his rookie season backing up and filling in for the injured Braden Smith. However, since then he has seen his playing time essentially vanish, and he was even a healthy scratch multiple times last season.
The Colts drafted Iowa State tackle Jalen Travis in the 4th round in April. While he is not expected to start anytime soon, he will potentially take offseason snaps away from Freeland. The Colts like to have depth on both lines of scrimmage, but with Matt Goncalves moving to guard, the depth will need to be at those positions more than anything. Freeland will need a strong training camp to make this roster this season.