The Indianapolis Colts are optimistic and hopeful as training camp approaches.
The lead-up to the 2026 season is not a normal one for the Indianapolis Colts.
Sure, there is usually internal optimism: a returning injured player will be an X-factor, or a new quarterback will get the team over the hump and into the postseason, but the tone is different this year.
The Colts haven't made the playoffs since 2020, when Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor was a rookie, and Philip Rivers was the team's quarterback (the first time).
Patience finally appears to be at its thinnest, at least that's the assumption when ownership publicly states that the urgency to win has never been higher.
Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon came up with one word to describe each NFL team's "vibe" entering training camp. For the Colts, the word is "wishful."
"The Colts' vibe is wishful because Daniel Jones remains a question mark—both in terms of his health and his ability to finally deliver a full, successful season as a franchise quarterback," Gagnon wrote.
This offseason, the Colts re-signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a two-year deal worth $88 million (and up to $100 million). They're not only wishful that Jones regains his form prior to his Week 14 Achilles injury, but that he's as good as he was early in the season when the Colts were 8-2 and with the playoffs seeming like a foregone conclusion.
Jones is only a piece of the puzzle, however. Aside from ownership, it starts at the top with general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen, and that the decisions they make will contribute to the team's overall well-being.
Nov 30, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images When last season ended, owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon was asked why she was optimistic that the 2026 season would be a successful one, and she quickly shifted to Ballard and Steichen.
"I think we saw a lot of progress," Irsay-Gordon said. "Chris was able to adapt and adjust his approach. I think we saw a lot of improvement there, obviously, before we faced some of the adversity of the latter half of this season.
"And Shane is a really young, talented head coach, and I know he’ll be the first to admit — and I think everyone in our building — we're always trying to learn and grow. I think what we saw, though, was we believe that they can replicate what we started off doing, and the sense of urgency to do that has never been higher. We believe they can do it next season."
Ballard's approach, as Irsay-Gordon pointed out, has been more aggressive in recent years than in the past.
This offseason, he made some significant moves, similar to last year, but the big difference was that this offseason's most impactful moves were internal. Jones' new deal and wide receiver Alec Pierce's re-signing cost the Colts $70 million in signing bonuses alone this spring.
Last year was about bringing in new talent from the outside, whereas this year was about maintaining the best of what was in-house.
As for the Colts' hopes for Steichen, the goal is for him to replicate last year's success with Jones and follow the once-successful formula of throwing to score and running to win.
The most significant piece of wishful thinking is the health of the team.
Not only is Jones returning from a season-ending injury, but defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is as well, and the starting cornerback trio of Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward Sr., and Justin Walley all had their 2025 seasons marred by injury.
Ballard continuing to feed the roster what's necessary, Steichen and his staff getting the most out of those players, and the rebounded health of Jones & Co. will be paramount to whether the Colts can snap their five-year postseason skid.
