Despite some major gains in free agency, all is not necessarily well with the Indianapolis Colts. There were definitely some positives, most notably with the signings of Cam Bynum and Charvarius Ward, but the Daniel Jones signing has garnered more mixed reactions. Either way, it does seem clear that general manager Chris Ballard is taking a different approach to the offseason than he has in years past, and the big question is whether or not it will pay off.
Though it is still early, the power rankings for 2025 don't look good for the Colts. Yet not everyone agrees; Gary Davenport at Bleacher Report has listed Indianapolis as one of six potential "Cinderella" teams that may just shock the league next season.
"Just about every team on this list has one thing in common: They appear to have a stable quarterback situation.Gary Davenport
Every team except the Indianapolis Colts, that is.
After a second straight disappointing season from Anthony Richardson, the Colts brought in competition for the starting job in Daniel Jones, whose own six-year tenure with the New York Giants ended in disappointment and his in-season release a year ago.
However, the 27-year-old told reporters he's looking forward to having the opportunity to compete for a starting job in 2025."
Richardson has responded to Jones' signing by saying he embraces the potential competition to keep his job at QB1, and he seems to have been taking the threat to his job seriously, even before Jones was brought on board. It's been no secret that 2025 is a make-or-break year: for Richardson, for Ballard, and potentially, even for head coach Shane Steichen.
Yet regardless, Davenport thinks the new defense could make a huge difference for Indianapolis.
"Quarterback is easily the biggest question facing the Colts, although a defense that allowed the fourth-most yards per game in the league also needs to be beefed up. However, even with a shaky signal-caller situation a year ago, the Colts were 13th in total offense and came within a game of .500," he wrote.
"If additions such as cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Camryn Bynum make an impact and either Jones or Richardson can be even a league-average quarterback, the Colts could contend in an AFC South where 10 wins won the division in 2024."