The Indianapolis Colts are now out of the playoffs and are looking to the new year, plus one last regular season game. With so many storylines and happenings from The Circle City’s NFL team in 2024, it’s time to detail five resolutions for the franchise in 2025.
Draft a Tight End
Dec 7, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) runs for a gain against the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
The Colts saw their tight end receiving production fall off a cliff in 2024. Despite having Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory, the group has compiled a meager 37 catches. Given that the tight end is integral for a quarterback, especially Anthony Richardson, it’s time for the Colts to draft a new name.
They still have Jelani Woods, but he’s missed back-to-back seasons and has no direction. Names like Penn State’s Tyler Warren or Michigan’s Colston Loveland have seen their names possibly tied to the Circle City. We’ll see what happens in the upcoming months, but the tight end spot is ugly for the Colts and must be addressed with a better overall talent.
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Fire Gus Bradley
Colts Defensive Coordinator and former Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley on the sideline during late fourth quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, October 15, 2023. The Jaguars ended the first half with a 21 to 6 lead and won with a final score of 37 to 20. / Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Colts’ defense has been suspect, to say the least, since Gus Bradley was hired as defensive coordinator in 2022. While his initial campaign was a wash due to so much drama with Jeff Saturday and Jim Irsay, 2023 is when the cracks started to show. Now, after a horrific loss to the paltry New York Giantsand rollercoaster 2024, the writing is vibrantly on the wall for Indy to move on.
The Colts have taken steps back defensively and still rank 29th in the league through 16 games in yards allowed per game (363.8). Against the Giants, struggling quarterback Drew Lock scored five total touchdowns and looked surgical with accuracy. In short, Bradley’s time in the Circle City is up; expect his to be one of the first dismissals if it happens.
Better Defensive Tackle Depth
Sep 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Taven Bryan (96) reacts after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) on during a game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images / Grace Hollars USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Indianapolis re-signed veteran defensive tackle Taven Bryan and added Raekwon Davis during the 2024 offseason to help stalwarts DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. However, both have been liabilities, displaying an issue with depth.
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Starting with Bryan, the second-year Colt has a Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grade of 65.8 but run defense mark of 53.7. While these aren’t the worst numbers, considering that Bryan was brought back to be a revolving door against the run is discouraging. Indy needs to save their money with this offseason free agent.
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As for the new addition Davis, he’s been far, far worse. Per Pro Football Focus, Davis has a pass-rushing mark of 54.3, but can’t stop anyone on the ground, with a gross 36.1 grade. To think that the Colts signed Davis to a two-year, $14 million deal to give lackluster production is just as unfortunate as the results with fellow DT Bryan.
We’ll see what happens with Davis, but don’t be surprised if he’s cut ($2.5 million penalty; $6.49 saved in 2025).
Positive Steps from Anthony Richardson
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Quarterback Richardson has had quite a wild second year in the NFL. After being sidelined for nearly his entire rookie campaign, Richardson’s sophomore season has been full of ups and downs. While he didn’t play against the Giants due to back spasms, he’ll push to return to action in Week 18 against the Jacksonville Jaguars to conclude the campaign with a victory.
Through his 11 games, Richardson’s passing numbers aren’t easy to look at, completing 47.7% (126/264) of his throws for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and nine fumbles. As for his rushing numbers, they’re impressive, boasting 499 rushing yards on 86 carries (5.8 average) and six touchdowns.
While Shane Steichen must improve as a play caller and the rest of Indy’s offense needs to get in a better rhythm in 2025, Richardson must also take that third-year leap to give the Colts the confidence he’s the future of the franchise. With plenty of pressure already mounting for Richardson to succeed, he’s hoping that great things happen in 2025.
Fire Chris Ballard
Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard speaks to the media Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, the Colts Complex. / Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
The last resolution, and likely most importantly, owner Jim Irsay must relieve general manager Chris Ballard after eight years with the franchise. The tenured front office executive has compiled a disastrous post-Andrew Luck resume’, but altogether has 61 win, 69 losses, and one tie with two playoff appearances and a single postseason victory (2018).
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Ballard has had plenty of time to put up something, yet it rarely happens past seven to nine wins and no playoffs. Recently, players like captains Kenny Moore II and DeForest Buckner shared their frustrations with a brutal loss to the bottom-dweller Giants in Week 17, giving even more fuel to the long-time Indy general manager being dismissed.
There’s still a puncher’s chance that Ballard remains in his seat for another year. However, that wouldn’t be as painful to consider if the Colts didn’t just give up 45 points to the Giants. We’ll see what happens with Ballard, but don’t be surprised if he and Bradley are gone following the regular season finale.
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The Indianapolis Colts features some of the best players in the NFL, and those key names will be leaned on to achieve success and finally take a step over the hump of mediocrity.
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In a recent article from Zachary Pereles at CBS Sports, he highlights the 100 most important players in the NFL ahead of the 2026 campaign.
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For the Colts, three players land firmly on the list, and with good reason: this trio will be critical for Indianapolis to make the playoffs to keep jobs intact and the current setup in line.
Let’s begin.
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No. 27: Daniel Jones | Quarterback
Dec 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) looks to throw downfield against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images
“Jones was outplaying even the highest expectations early in the year before fracturing his leg and then tearing his Achilles tendon a few weeks later. Can he get back to his 2025 form?”
Daniel Jones had a completely unforeseen career resurgence with the Colts in 2025. After beating out Anthony Richardson Sr. for the starting gig, he never looked back.
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Jones was tearing defenses apart for the first 10 weeks of the season, leading Indy to an 8-2 record that put the Colts at the top of the NFL and a frontrunner for a Super Bowl push.
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However, his production started to dip before a fractured fibula and subsequent season-ending Achilles tear. Regardless, this was the best Jones had ever looked in seven years as an NFL QB.
Now, the pressure is on, and many critics are stacked against him. Indy’s entire season rests on his health and efficiency under center.
If Jones can get back to square one, then this offense could resume its dominant ways. However, if he gets injured or defenses catch up to him in Shane Steichen’s offense, it could spell doom for this franchise.
No. 28: Sauce Gardner | Cornerback
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Nov 9, 2025; Berlin, Germany; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) reacts against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
“The Colts, looking like real contenders, sent two first-round picks to the Jets for Gardner. Then Daniel Jones and Gardner were both injured in the same game. Gardner’s injury was only a calf strain, luckily, but the quickest path for the Colts to get back to contention has him at the top of his game as Jones recovers.”
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As Pereles puts in Sauce Gardner’s entry, the Colts went all-in on pushing for a Super Bowl by sending their 2026 and 2027 first-rounders to the New York Jets to obtain the top-level cornerback.
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Pairing him with Charvarius Ward, this cornerback duo looked like a lethal combination. However, not only did Ward get sidelined with continued concussions, but Gardner succumbed to a calf strain that kept him to just four games with the Colts last year.
We didn’t get to see much of Gardner in Lou Anarumo’s scheme last year, but until proven otherwise, he’s still one of the hardest cornerbacks for any pass-catcher to shake.
As long as Ward and Gardner remain healthy and play well in Anarumo’s scheme, it will help Indy’s pass-rush and give quarterbacks and receivers a difficult time operating.
Even in his four games with Indianapolis, he still locked down receivers and took away areas of the field, limiting the options for opposing quarterbacks.
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Given how much the Colts had to invest to get Gardner, he needs have a big 2026 season for that massive trade with the Jets to pay off. Even if it’s just been one season, it already looks like the Jets won the trade.
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It will be up to Gardner to smash that narrative, and outside of DeForest Buckner, he’s arguably the most important defensive player on Indy’s roster.
No. 69: Jonathan Taylor | Running Back
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Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
“Taylor led the NFL in rushes (323) and rushing touchdowns (18) and was fueling one of the NFL’s very best offenses before Daniel Jones tore his Achilles. He’ll be the focal point again, and perhaps even more so early on as Jones finishes off his recovery.”
A player who needs no introduction, Jonathan Taylor is the gas, engine, wheels, and vehicle of Steichen’s offense.
Taylor put on another insane performance, rivaling his incredible 2021 season, where he led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,811. To reference last year, Taylor stacked up 1,585 rushing yards, 20 all-purpose TDs, and 99 total first downs.
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While Gardner might be the most important defensive player on the roster, Taylor is the most important player on the entire team, regardless of whatever side of the ball is in question.
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Running backs have a short shelf life in the NFL, but so far, Taylor looks like a player who is an exception to the rule.
This is no knock on the rest of Indy’s offensive talent, but without Taylor in the backfield, it makes things far easier to predict for opposing defenses.
As long as he doesn’t hit any dropoff in production, he’ll continue to be fed the pigskin to propel this offense and set up Jones and the receiving corps for efficiency in 2026.
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Karl E. Muszar, Jr., 94, Indianapolis, was called to his heavenly home June 22, 2026. He was born July 13, 1931, in Indianapolis to Karl E. Muszar, Sr. and Golda Lucille (Martin) Jones.
Karl was a 1949 graduate of Howe High School. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served until 1955. Following his military service, he attended Purdue University and in 1958 earned a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering. Karl worked for Allison Aircraft until 1975 at which time he started his own consulting business, Metallurgical Engineering of Indiana, Inc. Karl enjoyed photography and hiking in the mountains of Colorado. He served as a board member of Heritage Christian School from1971 to 2001.
In addition to his parents, Karl was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara J. (Foulk) Muszar; sister, Boni Kennelly, and stepbrother, Wesley Jones.
Survivors include his daughter, Michelle (Mark) Anderson; son, Jeffrey Muszar; granddaughter, Brittany (Alex) Winfield; great-grandchildren, Krystiyan Hall, Czarina Green, Mikhail, and Odessa Winfield; and many nieces and nephews.
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Family and friends will gather at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Colonial Hills Baptist Church, of which he was an active member, and where the funeral service will begin at noon.
Burial will follow in Union Chapel Cemetery. In memory of Karl, contributions may be directed to Colonial Hills Baptist Church-Missions, 8140 Union Chapel Road, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Envelopes will be available at the church.
Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements. Condolences: bussellfamilyfunerals.com.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Rain & storm chances are returning later in the week and it’ll really heat up next week.
TUESDAY EVENING/NIGHT:
Mostly sunny during the evening with fair skies and comfortable conditions overnight. Lows will be in the 50s for the 2nd night in a row.
WEDNESDAY:
Partly cloudy skies overall with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s for most of Central Indiana. While most of the day should remain dry, there is a chance of a few showers & storms during the evening.
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
Partly to mostly cloudy. Chance of a few showers & storms. Lows in the low to mid 60s.
THURSDAY:
Variably cloudy. Chance of a few showers & storms. Highs in the lower 80s.
THURSDAY NIGHT – FRIDAY:
Scattered rain & storms are looking more likely. Some heavy rain is possible and early projections suggest another 1-3” could fall across parts of Central and Southern Indiana. We’ll continue to monitor for some severe weather potential, but as of Tuesday afternoon no part of Indiana is in an official outlook from the Storm Prediction Center. Temperatures may only be in the upper 70s on Friday if we end up with more clouds and rain/storms.
WEEKEND:
Warm temperatures in the 80s are on track along with a chance for a few showers & storms both days. Humidity levels will be rising and the heat index by Sunday afternoon could be well into the 90s.
NEXT WEEK:
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A hot and humid weather pattern is likely going to establish itself again over the Great Lakes region. While there could be a few stray storms from time to time and perhaps even a storm complex or two rolling in from the west, the main storyline will involve hot & muggy air. Highs are expected to push into the lower 90s with heat indices in the 100 to 105 range.
Louisiana2 minutes ago
Maine5 minutes ago
Maryland10 minutes ago
Michigan17 minutes ago
Massachusetts20 minutes ago
Minnesota25 minutes ago
Mississippi32 minutes ago
Missouri35 minutes ago
