The Indianapolis Colts have made a lot of changes coming into 2025. Among the biggest moves were a new defensive coordinator and a new quarterback. Those moves could be the dominoes that topple other players in the organization, and it could all begin with Week 1.
The Indianapolis Colts are at a crossroads this season, and not the Robert Johnson kind. That would be very cool and very scary. Reminds me, I need to watch Sinners again tonight; I mean, it's been a week! As for the Colts, some of them could have their entire season on the line in Week 1. Nothing like a little pressure, right?
Let me give you a spoiler alert. I don't believe that Daniel Jones is one of those players. Oh, the pressure is on him; there's zero doubt about that. But the Colts have made it clear with virtually every breath that Jones is their quarterback for 2025. Now, do I believe that for a second?
Three Colts who could see their season crushed in Week 1
Sure... and that email I got last week about claiming $3.2 million is totally legit, too. But Jones is locked in for at least the first month, no matter how awful he is. I can't say the same for the next three guys.
CB Xavien Howard
We've already dissected the chances for Howard making an impact for the Colts this year. Hopefully, he rebounds and returns to his form of a few years ago. I think that he'll get lit up like the Christmas Tree at Raceway Park by Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle. I hope he's got more left in the tank.
The good news is, if he plays well against the Dolphins, he should be good to go for the season. But I'm not holding my breath.
WR Alec Pierce
Pierce was the NFL's leading deep threat by one measure last year. He led the league with 22.3 yards per catch. Unfortunately, he only caught 52 percent of his targets last year, and that was a career high. Most of his success was due to a ridiculously high average target depth of 21.5 yards.
We all know that Danny Dimes isn't likely to even try one throw that deep. He averaged less than two per game in his career. The benching of Anthony Richardson has likely taken away Pierce's only value. We'll know after Week 1 if he's a bust for 2025.
Shane Steichen
Surprise surprise! Sure, other players' seasons could hinge on their Week 1 performance. For me, no one has more riding on this game than the head coach. He backed Jones over Richardson as much as Ballard.
If the team can't move the ball against the Dolphins because the Miami defense can crowd the line, Steichen is in danger of losing the locker room before the last fan leaves Lucas Oil Stadium. And they may be leaving early at that.