We have a long ways to go before decisions have to be made, but PFF has projected what the Colts’ starting offense will look like in 2025.

We have a long ways to go before roster decisions have to be made and starting lineups have to be constructed, but Pro Football Focus has taken an early swing at projecting who will be starting and playing key roles on offense for the Indianapolis Colts.

The quarterback competition will draw a lot of eyes during training camp and the preseason, but there is also playing time up for grabs along the offensive line and at the backup running back spot.

Here is how Pro Football Focus sees things shaking out for the Colts.

Quarterback: Anthony Richardson

As Shane Steichen has described, Richardson and Daniel Jones will be splitting starting reps throughout the summer, and ultimately, it will be the most consistent of the two who wins the job.

For both the 2025 season and beyond, it’s clearly in the Colts’ best interest that Richardson takes control of the competition. As the younger, higher upside player, the ceiling for this Colts’ offense is greater with Richardson under center.

Steichen and Chris Ballard believe that the competition will elevate the play of both Richardson and Jones. While not an apples-to-apples comparison, after returning from being benched last season, we did see improved play from Richardson, which included leading two fourth-quarter comebacks.

A main focus for Richardson this offseason has been on his footwork, which is where accuracy begins at the quarterback position.

Running back: Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert

We know that Taylor will shoulder the workload at the running back spot, but the backup role is one where Ballard said the Colts need more production this season. So of note, PFF has Herbert listed as the backup over Day 3 draft pick DJ Giddens.

Herbert, who has been in the NFL since 2021, has experience on his side, while Giddens showcased his big-play abilities at Kansas State, which included averaging 6.5 yards per carry in 2024 and generating the 15th most rushes of 10 or more yards. However, like any first-year player, Giddens will be navigating the learning curve that comes with making the jump to the NFL level.

The Colts’ offense would also benefit greatly if one of Herbert or Giddens can carve out a role as a pass-catcher and add that element to Shane Steichen’s playbook, creating another dimension for defenses to contend with. This is an area where Giddens may have the upper hand.

On paper, there will be a backup running back, but I’m guessing right now that we’ll see both Herbert and Giddens this season, although how that playing time breaks down between the two remains to be seen.

Wide receiver: Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce

No real surprises here. We will also see AD Mitchell in the mix, but a big part of the equation when it comes to him earning more opportunities is showcasing more consistency. However, with three well-established players on the depth chart ahead of him, along with the Colts now having Tyler Warren at tight end, they aren’t exactly hurting for snaps, especially with how little four wide receivers are utilized at one time in this offense.

“That next step is like, alright, let me learn my role, let me focus on the things I can control and move from there,” said Reggie Wayne about Mitchell. “He’s backing up Alec right now. I mean, you can’t throw Alec away. Alec just had a great year. Just coming in understanding, and understanding your place, but when your number is called, let’s make sure we hit a home run and not just a base hit.”

Tight end: Tyler Warren

Again, no surprises here. The rookie will immediately step in and be a top option at this position. But we will still continue to see a fair amount of Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree as well. Two tight end sets were the Colts’ second-most utilized personnel grouping last season.

Offensive line: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith

I’m assuming that this is the configuration that everyone expects to see. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. has said that Bortolini is competing with Danny Pinter at center, and Goncalves is competing with the other guards on the roster–likely Dalton Tucker and Josh Sills–but the expectation is that Bortolini and Goncalves will win those jobs.

The Indiana Pacers are hosting the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday, and many stars are in attendance, including WNBA player Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.

The Fever guard was in the crowd to witness what she has described as the “greatest comeback team” she has seen. Her admiration for the Pacers’ relentless spirit was evident as they rallied four times to come back and win in this year’s playoffs.

Clark has expressed how it feels to be in Indianapolis as a WNBA player and during the Pacers’ NBA playoff run, saying it is fun to be a part of it.

MORE: Celebrities at Pacers vs. Knicks: Caitlin Clark, Timothée Chalamet, more stars at Game 6

OPINION: Caitlin Clark has proven to be crucial to the WNBA, so her absence will be painful

“It’s great being in Indianapolis right now,” Clark told ESPN. “People are loving basketball. It’s always been a basketball state. It’s just fun to be a part of.”

Clark was seated alongside teammates Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull.

More: New York Liberty value soars. Time for WNBA owners to invest or get out of the way

When do Caitlin Clark and the Fever play next?

The Fever will host the Washington Mystics on Tuesday, June 3, at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on NBA TV, WNBA League Pass, MeTV (Indianapolis), Monumental Sports Network (Washington)

Indiana lost to the Connecticut Sun on Friday in Indianapolis. Clark did not play due to a left quad strain.

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The Indianapolis Colts are heading full-bore into the 2025 offseason as they’ve started OTAs and dedicated success to late owner Jim Irsay. However, everything rides on the quarterback’s success for nearly every NFL team.

If the quarterback position is in flux or has inconsistencies, it’s hard to win in the NFL, plain and simple.

For the Colts, it’s not looking good thus far for their fourth-overall pick from 2023, Anthony Richardson. Richardson must win the starting job over former New York Giants signal-caller Daniel Jones.

Richardson seemed to get in his own way. He struggled horribly as a passer in 2024, falling to the depths of efficiency. Now, it’s time for him to answer or the consequences for his future may not fall in his favor.

Bleacher Report‘s Brad Gagnon highlights Richardson’s biggest obstacle as…. everything.

“Including Daniel Jones, but let’s hone in on Richardson’s sloppy play. If you can’t get that under control, you stand no chance, and he committed a turnover-worthy play on 4.7 percent of his snaps in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. That number has to drop dramatically or he will be toast as an NFL starter.”

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It’s been hashed over and over, but Richardson has to elevate his play from year two or he’s likely done as a Colts starting quarterback.

This would be a back-breaking occurrence for the Colts’ franchise, which has been desperately searching for the heir under center to former star Andrew Luck since his retirement in 2019. The Colts have started a whopping nine quarterbacks since Jacoby Brissett handled the duties post-Luck (Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles, Richardson, Gardner Minshew, and Joe Flacco).

If Richardson remains mediocre or, worse, takes a step back as a starter, expect Jones to be given a chance during the regular season. This is if Jones can’t outright win the gig during the offseason before the season starts.

All eyes and analysis are on Richardson for the Colts. Richardson has never been under so much pressure and has to juggle many expectations despite being in the league for a short time.

If Richardson wants to be taken seriously by the Colts, it’s on him to answer the call. He must smash the notion that he’s already a bust and handle immense factors from last year that held back the offense and gave the impression he can’t be a passer.

We’ll see how the youngster moves forward with OTAs and a huge offseason ahead.

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