Indianapolis Colts Training Camp: Day 1 Takeaways
As the sun shone brilliantly over Indianapolis, the Colts kicked off their 2025 training camp, marking the beginning of what promises to be an intriguing season. With four consecutive practice sessions lined up through Saturday, fans were eager to catch the first glimpses of their team in action.
The Colts’ passing offense showed a mix of promise and challenges right from the outset. It felt very much like a Day 1 drill—some erratic throws, an alarming number of dropped passes, and an overall performance that left more to be desired. The quarterback battle was in full swing, with Daniel Jones initially leading the charge alongside the starters. However, rookie sensation Anthony Richardson earned himself additional reps with the first unit and the spotlight was undoubtedly on him. Head coach Shane Steichen indicated that the competition would be balanced out as the camp progresses, allowing both quarterbacks ample starting opportunities.
On the field, Richardson struggled somewhat, completing just 4 of 11 passes, but three drops from his receivers—including notable targets Ashton Dulin, Jonathan Taylor, and Michael Pittman Jr.—certainly didn’t do him any favors. The echoes of a supportive crowd could be felt as Richardson took the helm, indicating that fans are already rallying behind their young quarterback. His completions were spread among Pittman Jr. (two passes), Anthony Gould, and Alec Pierce, hinting that while he may have encountered some hiccups, the potential is evident.
In contrast, Daniel Jones had a more efficient outing, going 6 of 8 overall, but struggled in the early moments with the starters where he completed just one of three attempts. A standout moment came when he connected with Gould for a beautiful over-the-shoulder throw that likely covered at least 30 yards. Unfortunately, not all went smoothly for Jones; he faced challenges during a 7-on-7 drill, where Kenny Moore II made a spectacular one-handed interception off a pass intended for Josh Downs. Overall, Jones’s completion spread was broad, spanning six different targets, which is a positive sign for his adaptability with the offense.
A particular highlight of the day was rookie cornerback Justin Walley, whose play caught the attention of Coach Steichen. “He’s a pretty damn good player,” Steichen said, underscoring high expectations for the third-round pick out of Minnesota. Walley stepped up as a pivotal player in coverage, alongside veterans Kenny Moore II and Charvarius Ward, earning early praise that could set the tone for his development throughout the camp.
The quest for talent at linebacker remains an open conversation, as Chris Ballard expressed excitement about finding some “unknown” names to step up. Joe Bachie, a veteran special teamer, was impressive in coverage, repeatedly disrupting passes, which could bolster depth in light of Zaire Franklin’s absence due to an ankle injury.
Speaking of the defense, Charvarius Ward made a strong impression right out of the gate with solid coverage on Alec Pierce and an impressive break-up against Michael Pittman Jr. His “sticky” style of play is exactly what the Colts need as they look to strengthen their defensive front.
As head coach Shane Steichen outlined plans for a more physical training camp, he emphasized the importance of ramping up intensity in preparation for the Week 1 kickoff. Expect to see an evolution of drills and scrimmage situations as the players adjust to the demands of the upcoming season.
With camp still in its infancy, the competition at center is heating up as well. Tanor Bortolini had the first reps Wednesday, but it remains to be seen if Danny Pinter will get his chance to step in with the starters on the following day.
Here’s a look at how the starting units shaped up on Day 1:
Starting Offense:
- QB: Daniel Jones
- RB: Jonathan Taylor
- WR: Michael Pittman Jr.
- WR: Alec Pierce
- WR: Josh Downs
- TE: Tyler Warren
- LT: Bernhard Raimann
- LG: Quenton Nelson
- C: Tanor Bortolini
- RG: Matt Goncalves
- RT: Braden Smith
Starting Defense:
- DE: Laiatua Latu
- DT: Grover Stewart
- DT: DeForest Buckner
- DE: Kwity Paye
- LB: Cam McGrone
- LB: Jaylon Carlies
- CB: Kenny Moore II
- CB: Charvarius Ward
- CB: Justin Walley
- S: Cam Bynum
- S: Nick Cross
Standout Performers from Practice:
- DT: Grover Stewart
- CB: Justin Walley
- RB: Tyler Goodson
- LB: Joe Bachie
Injury notes indicated that linebacker Zaire Franklin sat out practice, drawing the attention of both the coaching staff and fans alike as they hope for his swift recovery.
As the training camp progresses, all eyes will be on how the Colts adapt and grow, particularly with the quarterback competition heating up. With many intriguing storylines emerging, excitement is palpable as the Colts prepare for what lies ahead this season.
