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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INDIANAPOLIS — A person was stabbed in downtown Indianapolis Sunday evening.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were called to the intersection of East Market and North Delaware Streets around 8:28 p.m. to investigate a stabbing. When police arrived at the scene, they located an adult male victim with apparent stab wounds.
Photo of IMPD investigating a stabbing at the intersection of East Market and North Delaware Streets on April 19, 2026, captured by a FOX59/CBS4 crew.
IMPD has confirmed that the victim was transported from the scene to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.
Investigators believe the stabbing “stemmed from a disturbance between multiple individuals and the victim.”
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IMPD has reported that it has not identified or detained any suspects or persons of interest at this point in its investigation of the stabbing. Police have indicated that they are hoping witnesses come forward with information that can help them identify or locate the suspects.
“The officers now are doing a complete investigation,” IMPD Lieutenant Frank Wooten said during a media briefing Sunday night. “They’re going to investigate this to the best of their ability. We’re going to try to locate our suspect, arrest the suspect, prosecute the suspect and hold that suspect accountable for this heinous crime in Indianapolis. This is not an indication of what our city is about. This is not an indication of what we do downtown, and we hold this to be very serious. So, we will hold whoever did this responsible for their actions tonight.”
Sunday night’s stabbing represented a continuation of a violent weekend in downtown Indianapolis.
Early Sunday morning, two men were critically injured in a shooting near a White Castle on South Street. Before that shooting occurred, police arrested two juveniles on gun charges at Monument Circle.
Police also conducted a shooting investigation near the Hilton hotel located at 120 W. Market St. around 4 a.m. Sunday. Nobody was injured in that shooting.
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Elsewhere in the city, a person was injured in a shooting in a CVS parking lot on Kentucky Avenue Saturday evening. Another individual was killed in a shooting outside a residence in the 2300 block of South Pennsylvania Street Saturday night.
Public police reporting systems indicate IMPD has investigated nine shootings that caused injuries since midnight Saturday. During that same timeframe, IMPD has investigated six shootings that did not result in any injuries and five stabbings.
Numbers available on shootings and stabbings in IMPD’s public reporting system may not be complete, as some reports on weekend shootings and stabbings may not have been entered yet.
“This is not what we want Indianapolis to be,” Wooten said. “This is not what we expect out of the citizens of Indianapolis. We expect them to be safe, come downtown and have a good time, and be able to go home the same way they came down here. So, we will hold these suspects, once located, accountable for this crime.”
INDIANAPOLIS — One person died in a shooting on Indy’s near south side on Saturday evening.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were called to the 2300 block of S. Pennsylvania Street at approximately 9:45 p.m. on report of a shooting. This is a residential area located near Raymond Street and Madison Avenue.
Officers reported finding an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound outside a residence. The victim was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition, but later was pronounced deceased.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office has not released the deceased’s name at this time.
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Police ask anyone with information about this shooting to contact Detective Kristina Friel at the IMPD Homicide Office at (317) 327-3475 or e-mail the detective at Kristina.Friel@indy.gov. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS.
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 6-14) thumped Omaha (Royals), 11-3. 1B Rafael Flores Jr. (.206) went 2 for 3 with a double, his first home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. LF Tyler Callihan (.239) went 3 for 4 with a double and his first homer, a two-run shot. DH Enmanuel Valdez (.273) went 2 for 4 with his first homer and three runs scored. RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.258) went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. SS Davis Wendzel (.269) went 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. RHP Carson Fulmer (2-0, 5.51) started, gave up three runs on three hits in five innings and earned the win. RHP Chris Devenski (1.50) and LHP Joe La Sorsa (3.24) each pitched two scoreless innings.
Next: Sunday at Omaha (Royals), 3:05 p.m.
ALTOONA (Double-A, 2-12) had two hits – both solo home runs – and beat Portland (Red Sox), 2-0. LHP Dominic Perachi (1-0, 1.80) started and went six innings, allowing three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. RHP Landon Tomkins (3.38) followed with two scoreless. RHP Jaycob Deese (3.00) worked the ninth for his first save. LF Titus Dumitru (.146) went 1 for 3 with his second homer. C Shawn Ross (.182) went 1 for 3 with his second homer.
Next: Sunday vs. Portland (Red Sox), 1 p.m.
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GREENSBORO (High-A, 10-4) lost 8-3 to Brooklyn (Mets). C Easton Carmichael (.273) went 2 for 4 with an RBI. RF Shalin Polanco (.250) went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and an RBI. 1B Jared Jones (.277) went 2 for 5 with a run scored. RHP Carlson Reed (0-1, 7.36) started, recorded one out and gave up four runs on two hits and four walks. RHP Jose Garces (3.60) pitched two scoreless innings.
Next: Sunday at Brooklyn (Mets), 2 p.m.
BRADENTON (Low-A, 5-9) allowed seven stolen bases in its 6-5 loss to Tampa (Yankees). CF Edward Florentino, starting a rehab assignment as he recovers from an ankle injury, went 1 for 3 with a walk, double and run scored. LHP Reinold Navarro (6.43) started and gave up three hits, four walks and two earned runs over three innings while striking out five. SS/1B Eddie Rynders (.128) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. DH Edgleen Perez (.238) went 1 for 4 and drove in two runs. LF/CF Josh Tate (.208) went 2 for 5 with an RBI. 2B/SS Antonio Pimentel (.154) went 2 for 4 with a double. RHP Greiber Mendez (5.40) and RHP Noah Murdock (0-1, 9.00), who took the loss, each gave up two hits and one run in one inning. RHP Treyson Peters pitched the final three innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out two.
