Fan morale plummets as injuries derail season. Will a QB battle and potential rushing title offer solace in the Texans-Colts finale?
The Houston Texans (11-5) conclude their 2025 regular season at NRG Stadium this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts (8-8). The Texans have won their last eight-straight games and have a chance to win the AFC South with a ninth victory in a row (and a Jacksonville Jaguars loss against the Tennessee Titans).
Conversely, the Colts have lost their last six games in a row after starting their season 8-2. They have been eliminated from AFC playoff contention and are searching for answers on how to turn their franchise around for 2026 and beyond.
Colts fan and Site Contributor for SB Nation's "Stampede Blue" (@StampedeBlue on X), Jay Robins (@TheJayRobins on X), joined me for round two at the Texans Roundtable today to discuss the course of the Colts' season and what's at stake for the team after Sunday.
Clayton Anderson: How would you describe fan morale/expectation right now after the Colts have lost their last six games?
Jay Robins: Fans are energized and pumped for their Super Bowl run! Oh, wait, scratch that. That’s the response they had at 8-2 when the Colts were the AFC #1 seed and just traded for Sauce Gardner.
There were sparks of energy in that span, especially after Philip Rivers unretired and got to play for the first time in his Colts career in front of fans (his prior season was the COVID year 2020 season). But any and all expectations went to zero when Daniel Jones went out, and third-string quarterback Riley Leonard had to step in. Another 0.500 season for the Colts under Steichen's tenure is now destined for his 3rd season, this one being derailed due to numerous major injuries to some of the team's best players at the most important positions.
CA: How much is developing QB Riley Leonard a priority in week 18 and beyond?
JR: Riley Leonard will make his first start vs the Texans and second major snap count after filling in when Jones went down in the first Jaguars matchup. Certainly a trial by fire for the young passer against the 2025 Texans defense.
He is currently one of only two quarterbacks the Colts have under contract. Between him and Richardson, he is most likely to be with the Colts after this season, knowing Richardson's trade market and potential desire to leave Indy. The Colts and Richardson have been close-lipped about trade talks and their relationship, so that’s just speculation at this point.
While the Colts are intrigued by Leonard’s developmental potential, it seems more into a backup long-term rather than as a starter. Expect the Colts to be very active in the quarterback market and scouting the day two quarterbacks in the draft. A returning Jones likely will be their top option, even after an Achilles tear, but the contract negotiations will be fascinating to watch.
CA: Will running back Jonathan Taylor possibly winning the rushing crown for this season be of any consolation after this season?
For the fans, it might be a small consolation. He will likely end 2025 with the total touchdowns (20, next closest is 17) and rush touchdowns (18, next closest is 16) crowns regardless of his performance against the Texans. Yards-wise, it’s a two-man race with James Cook, but Cook now has a 47-yard lead and a much easier matchup against the Jets.
Taylor is one of the clear top backs in the NFL, now becoming tied for the most 20-touchdown seasons in a career all-time, and could be poised to break Edgerrin James’ franchise rushing yard record with another dominant season (1,654 yards away). But if his trade value is enough to help them get some premium picks in a potential rebuild, that could be on the table.
CA: Do you think organizational changes are in store in the offseason?
After nine seasons with Chris Ballard at the helm (six full offseasons post-Luck retirement), just one playoff berth in that span in 2020, and zero Divisional titles (though one could say eight years ago they had a case as the best team in the division in 2018 after beating Texans twice, including Wildcard & 2020 losing a 3rd tiebreaker for the AFCS to the Titans); the time has likely come for a changing of the guard.
Carlie Irsay Gordon will now have her first full offseason as the primary Colts owner, and could decide to hire someone new. Often is the case with new ownership. CIG has famously been on the sidelines with a headset, not just this entire season but for years now since 2012. She is clued in on what happens on the field for game days and where this team is strong and where they are lacking. She sees and hears what the coaches are calling and why, she knows the team morale, and she is clued in to what her team needs.
While Chris Ballard has assembled a team that, when healthy, showed dominance early on, CIG also saw the lack of depth at several positions, the diminished production from some vets and declining contributions from recent draft classes. And 2025’s collapse isn’t the first that has happened for the Colts in recent years.
Changes are likely in store. Ballard has one more year in his contract, so the Colts wouldn’t have to worry about too much left on his deal in moving off of him. If CIG blames 2025 on poor injury luck more than lack of draft contributions from the 2023-2025 early picks, then Ballard might sneak in one more season, but if not, then his tenure will be coming to an end in January.
Steichen is currently at 25-25 and has shown ability to be an elite offensive play-caller. But it’s fair to question his leadership style and motivational ability after overseeing this collapse, and the lack of effort and leadership on the field in the end of 2024 season.
CA: What is the outlook on the quarterback situation for 2026?
Daniel Jones returning is the most likely scenario, though he likely won’t get any major long-term guarantees with his Achilles tear and injury history. They are optimistic he could play in early 2026, but most NFL players need a full calendar year before the return to full athleticism. Still, when healthy, he was playing as a top-five efficiency quarterback in this Colts' offense. So, with limited options, that hope could be the best chance for quality quarterback play over the next two seasons.
Richardson and his camp could see an opportunity to win the job in 2026 if the Colts opt to give Jones a “redshirt” year or start to the season. He is on the last year of his rookie deal and the Colts offense has shown the ability to be a top-tier unit with Jones and middle of the pack with Richardson before.
The Colts *could* bank their hopes on a year-four breakout for the 23 year old QB, but regardless they would get an additional option beyond Jones and Richardson for more options and competition with their injuries and history. It’s hard to trust Richardson’s health and development, especially after his eye injury. Hard to say what happens to Richardson, but I don’t feel confident he is in their plans anymore at the position.
The 2026 draft class had a lot of potential quarterback declarees return to college, thinning out the day-two/early day-three quarterback depth significantly. Ty Simpson could still declare and would be a day-two graded quarterback the Colts could try to grab in round two. Grant Nussmeier is still likely a top-100 pick. Later options like Beck, Mateer (if he declares), Klubnik, Pavia, and Allar remain. Hitting on a quarterback in the draft is always a big boon with the cheap contract, but the odds are very low, especially outside of round one.
There is also the outside free agent market. Rodgers looks to either return to the Steelers or retire. The top-three options then are Russell Wilson coming off a down start to the season that got him replaced by Jaxon Dart, Malik Willis who once again showed promise in limited snaps for an injured Jordan Love in Green Bay, and a reunion with Joe Flacco who looked much better once traded to the Bengals instead of being on the Browns.
If there is a top outside target, it’s Willis. The sample size is small and there is still questions of read progression speed, ability to do quick passing timing, and not holding on too long to avoid sacks. But the talent is there with easy arm strength, great mobility and escapism, and has shown growth in field reading. Still only 26 right now too, so there is room for growth.
Willis could see an opportunity to pair with another workhorse back in Taylor, as well as a top-tier offensive play-caller with plenty of weapons and a solid line in front of him; all with an opportunity to win the starting job with the biggest competition likely being a quarterback with one Achilles. If the money is right, it feels like a fun fit.
Expect the Colts to try to retain Jones on a modest deal; see what the market is for Richardson; scout the 2026 QB class heavily; and potentially kick the tires on Willis.
We at the Texans Roundtable appreciate Jay Robins and "Stampede Blue" once again for their contributions to the conversation and to quality professional sports discourse.
What's your final score prediction for the game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and on the official Texans Roundtable X account, @Texans_RTB!