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Stampede Blue

https://www.stampedeblue.com/ | 583 entries published

An Indianapolis Colts blog

Latest Entries

PFF lists Colts breakout, new lead wideout as team’s top franchise tag candidate

According to PFF’s Bradley Locker, Indianapolis Colts wideout Alec Pierce is their project franchise tag candidate for the Horseshoe among a listing of each of the NFL’s 32 teams: Indianapolis Colts: WR Alec Pierce The Colts could ostensibly deploy the franchise tag on either Daniel Jones or Pierce, but the latter feels more likely given his radiating […]

13 days ago | 4 reads

ESPN projects familiar face to be Colts starting QB to begin 2026 campaign

According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, the Indianapolis Colts will have a surprising, yet recently familiar face, as their 2026 opening starting quarterback—only it’s not Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson Sr., or Riley Leonard. Rather, it will be 2023 Colts Pro Bowler Gardner Minshew, who Walder projects to return to Indianapolis and initially start in the interim […]

13 days ago | 3 reads

Highlights from Colts’ Shane Steichen’s NFL Combine Press Conference

On changes moving forward after a disappointing season. “I think the way the season started was obviously pretty special, then down the stretch obviously with some unfortunate circumstances. We gotta find ways to win ugly games. I think that’s whether it is through practice, how we practice late in the season, putting those guys in […]

13 days ago | 3 reads

Takeaways from Colts GM Chris Ballard NFL Combine Press Conference

On negotiations with Alec Pierce and Daniel Jones with the new league year starting soon. ”Yep, good. I’ve had great discussions with both of them. We will continue to work this week and see if we get something done. It’s been very positive. Look when both sides are driven to get it done, it usually […]

14 days ago | 2 reads

A Visitor’s Guide to Downtown Indianapolis Food & Drinks

Indianapolis has been proud to host the NFL Combine for nearly 4 decades, which has served as not only the biggest pre-Draft event in the NFL Calendar for testing athleticism and getting official measurements; but also get medical checks, interview with prospects. Teams, agents, and media get to network, interview, and prepare for the Draft […]

NFL

14 days ago | 3 reads

Offseason vision to steer Colts back into playoff contention

Indianapolis Colts brass delivered a unified message about the most important offseason priorities inside the Indiana Convention Center, which includes signing quarterback Daniel Jones and receiver Alec Pierce to long-term contracts. Colts General Manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen did not come to make headlines at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, but rather […]

14 days ago | 2 reads

Colts free agent profiles: Braden Smith

Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis Colts have been at an advantage thanks to strong tackle play this decade, with a brief transitional period at left tackle that otherwise found its footing rather quickly. On the opposite side of the line, however, has been locked down by longtime Colt Braden Smith. Initially scoffed at by draft […]

15 days ago | 2 reads

What’s Next for the Colts QB room?

The Colts finished their 2022 season in embarrassing fashion. They fired their HC for the second time in Chris Ballard’s tenure, hired a former franchise legend and ESPN analyst to be their interim coach, and blew one of the biggest leads in NFL history late in the year— just to add insult to an already […]

15 days ago | 2 reads

Colts announce 2026 coaching staff additions

The Indianapolis Colts announced the following coaching staff additions for the 2026 campaign, with the biggest hire being defensive line coach Marion Hobby as previously reported: Colts.com does an exceptional job here of recapping their past experience, which I’d recommend checking out for their individual backgrounds—and won’t simply regurgitate here. Barring any last minute moves, […]

16 days ago | 4 reads

Colts reportedly in contract negotiations with QB Daniel Jones, WR Alec Pierce, but are they progressing?

According to FOX59/CBS4’s Mike Chappell, the Indianapolis Colts are reportedly holding ongoing contract negotiations with both pending free agents: starting quarterback Daniel Jones and top wide receiver Alec Pierce—with this year’s free agency period officially kicking off on March 11 at 4 PM EST: With a number of other internal key free agents, including, starting […]

16 days ago | 3 reads

Could Colts DC Lou Anarumo reunite with ex-Bengals veteran linebacker?

Entering the weekend, the Dallas Cowboys announced that the team released veteran linebacker Logan Wilson, which raises the question of whether the Indianapolis Colts could be interested given his clear familiarity with their defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo: Originally a 2020 3rd round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, the 6,2”, 245 pound linebacker played under […]

17 days ago | 3 reads

Can the Colts trust Daniel Jones?

Daniel Jones was given a golden opportunity to resurrect his career with the Indianapolis Colts. After a failed stint with the New York Giants, of which Jones certainly doesn’t carry all the blame, his career was in flux. Another first round quarterback found himself without a home. It was good to see what Jones had […]

18 days ago | 3 reads

Report: Colts work out ex-Bengals linebacker under DC Lou Anarumo

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Indianapolis Colts worked out former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Markus Bailey, who was previously coached by their veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo: Originally a 2020 7th round pick of the Bengals out of Purdue University, the 6’1”, 235 pound linebacker played under Anarumo from 2020-2023 in Cincinnati. He later joined […]

19 days ago | 3 reads

Position Mastery: Evaluating Tight Ends

Tight end is the position that looks simple on paper and becomes complicated the moment you turn on the film. At a glance, the evaluation process seems similar to wide receiver: can he catch, can he run routes, can he block? In reality, tight ends live in a completely different world. They’re bigger, slower, more […]

NFL

19 days ago | 0 reads

Will Colts surprisingly no longer be the NFL’s only Indiana based team?

One of the major sports stories of Thursday was that Indiana lawmakers unanimously approved an Indiana Senate Bill, by a vote of 24-0, for a planned proposal that paves the way for the Chicago Bears to potentially have a brand new domed stadium built near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana. Wolf Lake is roughly 22 […]

19 days ago | 4 reads

Report: Colts reportedly lose defensive coaching staff member to Cardinals

According to CBS Sports Matt Zenitz, Indianapolis Colts defensive quality control coach Brent Jackson is set to join the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff under their new head coach Mike LaFleur: Having joined the Colts in May of 2022, Jackson just finished his 4th season as Indianapolis’ defensive quality control—after previously working as a graduate assistant […]

19 days ago | 3 reads

How Alec Pierce turned into the NFL’s Hottest Free Agent Target

Alec Pierce is heading into the offseason as one of the Colts most coveted free agents. Similar to how Michael Pittman was after 2023, locking up Pierce will provide some necessary certainty to a position group that has never had a cornerstone player.  Two years ago— that might not have been the sentiment. Pierce was […]

19 days ago | 2 reads

It is still hard to believe Chris Ballard has employment with the Colts

When the story broke that Chris Ballard would be returning for his tenth season, I received it with a sense of numbness. It isn’t that deep to trigger a major episode, and it also is something I have simply come to expect. For the last five years, my anticipation was that the Indianapolis Colts would […]

19 days ago | 4 reads

Colts free agent profiles: Alec Pierce

Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis Colts selected wide receiver Alec Pierce with the 53rd overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was widely viewed as a project coming into the NFL, and thankfully, the Colts were patient enough to accommodate such patience required. Fast forward to the end of his rookie contract, and Alec […]

20 days ago | 3 reads

What if the Colts chose door number three?

I won’t lie, this is the 3rd time this week that I have attempted to write an article about the Colts options for free agency. They have included the usual suspects of Jones and Pierce, but so have most pieces that have been written, so I am going to propose something that has less than […]

20 days ago | 1 read

Four Colts named to PFF’s Top 101 players from 2025 campaign

According to PFF, four Indianapolis Colts players were named to PFF’s Top 101 players from the 2025 campaign including running back Jonathan Taylor (96th), edge Laiatu Latu (85th), center Tanor Bortolini (65th), and offensive guard Quenton Nelson (44th): 96. RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts Taylor led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (18) this season, while […]

20 days ago | 5 reads

Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr. listed as one of NFL players in need of ‘change of scenery’

According to ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. is one the league’s players who could use a ‘change of scenery’ this offseason: Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr. Richardson’s early performances with Indianapolis just haven’t made the grade. As a rookie in 2023, he posted a 45.0 QBR in four starts. In 2024, […]

20 days ago | 4 reads

What I would do if I was Chris Ballard for an offseason

Time and time again I have criticized Chris Ballard, so this time I will leave in writing what I would (or at least try to) do if I were in his shoes. A lot more than we know happens behind the scenes, so take this with a grain of salt. Its February 18th, Wednesday. Suddenly […]

21 days ago | 3 reads

Colts free agent profiles: Daniel Jones

Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis Colts took a shot on veteran quarterback Daniel Jones after he mutually parted ways with the New York Giants, the team that drafted him 6th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Colts signed Jones to a 1-year, $14M ‘prove-it’ deal, to which he immediately proved it. Originally signed as […]

21 days ago | 3 reads