Indianapolis Colts 2023-24 Season Guidebook

While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months.  However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year.

Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here.
 
In today's article, I'll be discussing the Indianapolis Colts.

I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.  To check out an article for another team, click the link below:
https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl

2022 Season Recap

2022 was a disaster for the Colts.  For the third year in a row, Colts fans were optimistic heading into the season with a solid team around a veteran quarterback.  But the team has progressively gotten worse each year under new quarterbacks each season.  Last season included the firing of head coach Frank Reich, injuries to their best players, abysmal quarterback play, and the biggest blown lead in NFL history.  It all culminated in a 4-12-1 record, though they still managed to not finish last in the AFC South thanks to the Houston Texans.
 
Significant Roster Moves

Indianapolis lost a lot of big names in the offseason, especially on defense.  Stefon Gilmore, Rodney McLeod, Yannick Ngakoue, and Bobby Okereke will all be suiting up for different teams in 2023.  Isaiah Rodgers was also cut after he was allegedly caught gambling on Colts games last year.  The two QBs who played last season, Matt Ryan and Nick Foles, also won’t be back this season.
 
Indy brought in Gardner Minshew as their new veteran quarterback focus for the upcoming season.  They also added a bunch of receivers, most notably Isaiah McKenzie from Buffalo.  Kenyan Drake was added late in the offseason after the controversy surrounding Jonathan Taylor.  They beefed up depth on the D-line by signing tackle Taven Bryan and ends Samson Ebukam and Al-Quadin Muhammad.  Matt Gay will take over kicking duties in 2023 after cycling through a couple guys in 2022.
 
2023 Draft Class

The Colts had 12 picks in the draft, led off by hopeful future franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson out of Florida.  Richardson’s arm talent, athleticism, and potential are off the charts, but he’s very young and inexperienced, only playing 13 games in college.  Third round pick Josh Downs will likely make an early impact with his speed and explosiveness at receiver.
 
The majority of Indy’s remaining picks went toward the secondary, offensive line, and defensive line – three areas of immense importance for the Colts.
 
Season Schedule

The Colts will take on the AFC North and the NFC South in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games.  Their other three opponents are the Los Angles Rams, New England Patriots, and Las Vegas Raiders.  With an opponent prior season win percentage of .434, Indianapolis has the 4th easiest schedule in the NFL.

Indianapolis is one of four teams with no primetime games on the schedule. However, they play in Frankfurt, Germany against New England in Week 10.
 
Depth Charts

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

The Colts return 15 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year. Indianapolis has already decided to name Anthony Richardson the starter heading into the regular season.  Colts fans can expect both really good and really bad if their first preseason games are any indicator of how he’ll fare his rookie season.
 
The biggest question mark outside of quarterback (and maybe running back if a deal can’t be made with Jonathan Taylor) is the offensive line.  They might be helped by Richardson’s mobility, but the offense will in part be made or broken by their collective performance.  Though there are still several stars on defense, it’s hard to predict how good the Colts will be on that side of the ball this season.
 
Coaching Staff

Indianapolis hired Shane Steichen as head coach on February 14 to replace Jeff Saturday, who served in the position in the interim after Frank Reich was fired mid-season.  Steichen retained one coordinator from last season: Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley (2nd season).  Offensive Coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and Special Teams Coordinator Brian Mason will each take on their first season with the Colts.
 
Betting Odds

Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Indianapolis at 7.5 games.  As of right now, the Colts are the 3rd most likely team to win the AFC South and the 15th most likely team to win the AFC.  At +15000 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are 30th among all teams in the league.
 
Bucket Squad Predictions

Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Colts to finish 5-12 in 2023 for 3rd in the AFC South and 15th in the conference.  They’ll attempt to build off of Anthony Richardson’s play as he progresses in future seasons.

What do you think?  Will Indianapolis be better or worse than I'm projecting?  What offseason moves made by the Colts surprised you the most?  Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them.

Written by Nick Swatson