The Indianapolis Colts won eight of their first ten games in 2025. Even with a dreadful finish to the season, they still managed to average a respectable 27.4 points per game, so keeping the chains in motion wasn't much of a problem for Shane Steichen's team.
Fast forward to today, and the Colts are keeping most of the band together. The offensive coaching staff remained nearly untouched under Jim Bob Cooter, and they didn't make any big-name additions on that side of the ball.
That's why, even with Michael Pittman Jr. no longer in town and even with all the pressure that comes after losing eight consecutive games, Tyler Warren is still fully optimistic about the 2026 offense. When asked about his vision for next season, his vision could be summed up in one word— continuity.
The Indianapolis Colts have the weapons they need
"I think everybody's really excited," Warren said (h/t Matt Taylor). "From an offensive standpoint, coming back with the same coaching staff, same core group of guys. It's always exciting to be able to build off of what you were able to do last year."
There's no denying that losing a player of Pittman's caliber will be a big blow to this team. He was their go-to guy to keep the chains moving, and Alec Pierce, as talented as he is, has always been a big-play guy, not a possession receiver.
That's where Warren will come in handy. He showed flashes of elite play in his rookie season, and while he hit a bit of a wall down the stretch like the entire offense, he should be in for a bigger role in his second year in the league.
Warren started 12 of 17 games last season, hauling in 76 receptions on 112 targets for 817 yards, four touchdowns, and 48.1 yards per game. He only had two drops. Notably, he also had six carries for eight yards and one touchdown, and he missed his lone pass attempt.
Clearly, Coach Steichen and his staff have big hopes for their former first-round pick, who should benefit from extended opportunities and having the same quarterback behind center for the entire season.
Josh Downs is also entering a contract year, so he should have plenty of additional motivation to bounce back from last year's disappointing season and earn a big payday. All in all, the passing game should be fine, even without a reliable WR3.
The Colts will continue to have an elite offensive line and one of the most underrated running backs in the game. So, even with a healthy Daniel Jones, the offense will run through Jonathan Taylor first and foremost, and with him also looking for a big raise of his own, he has to deliver and prove he's still got it.
Of course, this team would've been better off finding a suitable replacement for one of their most productive pass catchers. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be as good as they were last season if they can stay on the field.
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