An NFL analyst claims there’s a lack of evidence to show the Colts will improve in 2025.
USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz ranked all 18 NFL teams to miss the playoffs in 2024 based on their chances of returning to the postseason in 2025. The Colts came in at 11, notably behind teams like the Patriots (4-13 in 2024), Jaguars (4-13) and Bears (5-12). Middlehurst-Schwartz thinks the Colts didn’t do enough to move the needle.
“No one could rightfully call Indianapolis’ offseason a true shake-up, but this was hardly the stay-the-course approach that has been the throughline of (general manager) Chris Ballard’s tenure,” he writes, adding the signing of Daniel Jones allows for some flexibility on offense.
Middlehurst-Schwartz praised the change at defensive coordinator to a “more dynamic scheme” under Lou Anarumo, but still isn’t moved.
“There’s not much to suggest that the Colts can keep up with the Texans or any of the AFC’s other playoff threats given their ho-hum core.”
Clearly, he is uninspired by the roster changes Indy has made and doesn’t see a significant improvement this upcoming season.
The Colts finished 8-9 in 2024, landing in 2nd in the AFC South. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2020 and haven’t won a division title since 2014.
At this point, it’s unclear if Indianapolis can finally break out of the cycle of mediocrity they’ve been stuck in under Ballard, but some experts believe positive change is not coming in the near future.
