Honestly, if you looked at the Indianapolis Colts roster at the start of last year and predicted we’d be talking about a Daniel Jones career resurgence while Anthony Richardson's future hangs by a thread, people would've called you crazy. But here we are. It is January 2026, and the Colts depth chart 2025 has officially transitioned from a blueprint into a cautionary tale of "what-ifs" and "now-whats."
The 8-9 finish in 2025 wasn't just a mediocre record. It was a season of massive shifts. We saw the passing of longtime owner Jim Irsay in May, the rise of CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon, and a quarterback carousel that made the head-scratching Matt Ryan era look stable.
Let's get into the weeds of how this roster actually shook out and what it means for the 2026 offseason.
The Quarterback Quagmire: Richardson vs. Jones vs. Leonard
You’ve probably heard the noise. Anthony Richardson, the man drafted to be the savior, basically became a ghost on his own team. Between the oblique, back, and hip injuries that sidelined him for six games in 2024, and the freak orbital bone fracture that landed him on IR in 2025, the "project" is looking more like a failed experiment.
When Shane Steichen named Daniel Jones the starter for 2025, it felt like a stopgap move. Instead, Jones actually played well enough to complicate everything. He threw for over 4,000 yards—something a Colts QB hasn't done since Philip Rivers—and kept Indy in the playoff hunt until that Week 10 overtime win against the Falcons in Berlin.
But wait, there's more. By the end of the 2025 season, the depth chart looked like a fever dream:
- Daniel Jones (The "Revitalized" Vet)
- Riley Leonard (The Rookie/Spot Starter)
- Philip Rivers (Yes, the 44-year-old came back for a cameo)
- Anthony Richardson (Injured Reserve/Trade Candidate)
The most shocking part? General Manager Chris Ballard traded away the team's next two first-round picks to the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner. That means there's no high-draft-pick rescue coming. The Colts are stuck with what they have or what they can find in a weak free-agent pool.
The Trench Warfare: Where the Money Is
While the QB room was a mess, the offensive line remained the high-rent district of the locker room. Quenton Nelson is still doing Quenton Nelson things, earning another Pro Bowl nod and Second-team All-Pro honors.
Bernhard Raimann has solidified that left tackle spot, which is a massive relief for whoever is taking snaps. On the right side, Braden Smith's contract was reworked to save cap space, but he remains a pillar. The real story, though, is the youth movement in the middle. Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves are now the primary interior guys, and while they've had growing pains, the "Big Q" mentorship seems to be working.
Skill Positions: Taylor’s Load and the Rise of Tyler Warren
Jonathan Taylor is still the engine. Period. He carried the ball nearly 300 times in 2025, and without him, this offense would have been bottom-five in the league. Behind him, it’s a bit of a committee with Tyler Goodson and the rookie DJ Giddens from Kansas State.
The biggest surprise on the Colts depth chart 2025 was at tight end. Most fans expected Mo Alie-Cox to be the primary target, but rookie Tyler Warren (the 14th overall pick from Penn State) completely took over. Warren finished the season leading the team in touchdowns. His ability to block like a tackle but run routes like a big receiver has given Steichen the "move" piece he’s been craving since his days in Philly.
As for the wideouts:
- Michael Pittman Jr.: The reliable chain-mover. 100+ catches again.
- Josh Downs: The explosive slot threat who finally stayed healthy for 17 games.
- Alec Pierce: The deep threat who is now entering free agency with a massive question mark on his value.
- Adonai Mitchell: Showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency in year two.
The Defense: Sauce Gardner and the Latu Leap
Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo (who replaced Gus Bradley) changed the vibe of this unit. Bringing in Sauce Gardner was a "swing for the fences" move by Ballard, and honestly, it worked. Having a true lockdown corner allowed the rest of the secondary, including Jaylon Jones and veteran Kenny Moore II, to play more aggressively.
Up front, Laiatu Latu is the real deal. After a promising rookie year, he led the team in pressures in 2025. He’s the twitchy edge rusher Indy hasn't had since Robert Mathis.
However, the interior is aging. DeForest Buckner is turning 32 and heading into the final year of his deal. Grover Stewart is still a mountain in the run game, but the depth behind them—Adetomiwa Adebawore and Neville Gallimore—is unproven as full-time starters.
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Current Defensive Starters (Late 2025/Early 2026)
- LDE: Kwity Paye / Tyquan Lewis
- DT: DeForest Buckner / Adetomiwa Adebawore
- NT: Grover Stewart / Neville Gallimore
- RDE: Laiatu Latu / Samson Ebukam
- MLB: Zaire Franklin
- WLB: Germaine Pratt (A huge free-agent addition from Cincy)
- CB: Sauce Gardner / Jaylon Jones
- NB: Kenny Moore II
- S: Cam Bynum / Nick Cross
What Most People Get Wrong About 2026
The biggest misconception is that the Colts are "one player away." They aren't. They are a team with a top-heavy roster and very little draft capital thanks to the Sauce Gardner trade.
The decision on Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option is looming, and it feels like the team has already moved on. There are active rumors about a trade to a team like the Giants or Raiders where he can "reset." If Indy lets him go, they are essentially admitting that the 2023 draft was a total wash at the most important position.
Also, don't ignore the coaching seat. Shane Steichen is 7-22 against teams with winning records over his tenure. The Irsay sisters might have more patience than their father did, but losing in the AFC South—where the Texans and Jags are loading up—won't be tolerated forever.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you’re following this team, here is what you need to watch for in the coming months:
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- The Trade Market: Keep an eye on Richardson’s "market value." If the Colts can get a second-round pick back for him, they’ll take it in a heartbeat to recoup some of what they lost for Sauce.
- The Edge Rush Reset: Both Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis are free agents. Look for the Colts to targeting a guy like Al-Quadin Muhammad (again!) or a mid-tier vet to complement Latu.
- The Daniel Jones Extension: Is he the bridge or the future? If they sign him to a three-year deal, the Richardson era is officially over.
- Draft Strategy: Without a first-rounder, Ballard will likely trade back in the second round to accumulate "lottery tickets" in the mid-rounds. He loves his traits-based athletes.
The Colts depth chart 2025 taught us that talent without stability is a recipe for a .500 record. As the 2026 league year approaches, the front office has to decide if they want to keep "running it back" or finally admit that the foundation needs more than just a superstar cornerback to hold it up.
For fans, the next step is simple: watch the 2026 Scouting Combine closely. Since the Colts don't have that first-round pick, the "diamonds in the rough" they find in rounds two through four will determine if this team can finally break the postseason drought or if they'll stay stuck in the middle of the pack.