The Indianapolis Colts have a lot riding on the upcoming 2025 season, and many of their hopes are riding on their first round draft pick. They got incredibly lucky, with their top choice still available at #14, and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren was signed.
There are a lot of high hopes riding on Warren's shoulders, and that's putting it mildly. The rookie is expected to match well with embattled quarterback Anthony Richardson, and revitalize the Colts' abysmal tight end room. It's a lot to live up to, and recent history with the Colts' first round picks doesn't look good. Yet in the first day of OTAs, Warren is keeping the hope alive - regardless of who ends up throwing the ball this season.
OTAs, or Organized Team Activities, take place before the mandatory minicamps start in June, and most - though not all - players participate. They're one of the last offseason activities before the action really kicks into gear over the summer, and there's no live contact allowed. But it's still a good chance to get an idea of what kind of progress returning players made in the offseason, how rookies might fit in with their new team, and who might not get an invitation to training camp later.
The Colts are holding their OTAs on May 28-30, and then June 3-5. Already, Warren is looking good - with both Anthony Richardson, and Daniel Jones.
Analysts have largely felt that Warren will be a good fit for Richardson, who has immense talent and potential... but has yet to be able to control it. One of Richardson's upsides is his ability to make explosive plays, and he and Warren together are predicted to be a dangerous pairing.
And even on the first day of OTAs, that seems to be true, as the've already begun connecting for big plays. Yet his competition - Daniel Jones - did the same thing.
At the beginning of the offseason, it was expected that Richardson would have one more chance at QB1 - one last year to prove himself before being shown the door. But then, general manager Chris Ballard said they would be allowing competition at quarterback, with Daniel Jones signed to compete for the job with him.
It's still far too early to tell who is ahead in this quarterback race, but what's already becoming clear is that, for Warren anyway, it won't matter. He'll get it done regardless of who's throwing the ball.