Coaches might tell us that NFL preseasons are important for determining roster spots, and to a degree, they are. But most of those decisions are made in training camp. One position battle for the Indianapolis Colts, though, needed to happen in the preseason.
It's a sneaky important one, too. Indy is probably set up to play a lot of close games in 2025. The quarterback play still has to prove it can be good. If it is once again mediocre, then whoever the kicker is will need to steal a win for the Colts or three.
Spencer Shrader appears set to be that kicker. It took him one kick in Indy's first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens to earn that spot. On the Colts' first drive of the game, after cornerback Alex Johnson had picked off Baltimore quarterback Cooper Rush, Indy's drive bogged down. Shrader was brought on to attempt a 53-yard field goal, and he nailed it.
The Indianapolis Colts should go ahead and name Spencer Shrader the team's kicker
Shrader has only played one season in the league and has only attempted five field goals in the regular season. He has made them all. The beauty of his long kick against the Ravens is that there was no doubt about it being good. It was straight down the middle and easily over the crossbar.
If the Colts' coaching staff needed any further proof that Shrader was the guy to be the kicker, that should have ended any debate. Fellow kicker Maddux Trujillo never had a chance. He was behind Shrader in training camp, as he was inconsistent, but on Friday, he should start looking for a new job.
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Spencer Shrader might still need to make a few more field goals to make everyone feel comfortable, but he likely eased a lot of worries with what he did once the preseason bright lights were on. He was strong and true in a way that implies he will continue to be. (In fact, he made his second and third kicks of the game, too. One from 33 yards and one from 39.)
Yes, Shrader missed his final kick of the half, but that was from 52 yards, and it had plenty of leg as it struck the goal post halfway up. The kick was inches away from being something that would have been good from 65 yards.
Now, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen needs to worry about his quarterback position even more. Anthony Richardson was forced to leave the game after being hit on a pass attempt and injuring the pinky on his right hand. By default, the QB job might now belong to Daniel Jones.