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Stampede Blue

An Indianapolis Colts blog

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Ballard is back with the Colts, and it has me singing the blues

The thrill is gone. The good vibes and tough nosed, no nonsense energy Chris Ballard brought to the table nearly a decade ago have long faded. Talk is cheap, but it appears to still hold some value because that is all Ballard has to offer to new ownership of the Indianapolis Colts. It worked, as […]

2026 Draft: Chris Johnson Scouting Report

Measurables 2025 Stats Awards/Accolades Strengths Weaknesses Draft Projection Round 1-2 Grade I might have one of the higher initial grades of Chris Johnson in the 2026 Draft cycle. Currently CB6 on my board and #38 on my initial Big Board, Chris Johnson has a big opportunity to rise even higher at the Senior Bowl in […]

NFL

Indianapolis Colts 2026 opponents: Home, away matchups confirmed

The Indianapolis Colts have been locked into third place in the AFC South for a while, but their opponents for the 2026 season weren’t set until the end of the regular season. In addition to the regular rotations against the AFC South, the Colts play the NFC East and the AFC North. The same-ranked NFC […]

Colts 2026 NFL Draft picks: Why Indianapolis has no 1st-round selection

The Indianapolis Colts don’t have a pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, so while most teams that missed the playoffs have something to look forward to, the Colts are in this limbo space. The Colts traded two first-round picks (one in 2026 and one in 2027) plus receiver Adonai Mitchell to […]

Colts’ Carlie Irsay-Gordon has reportedly already made decision on Shane Steichen, Chris Ballard’s futures

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Indianapolis Colts team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon has already made a decision on the futures of general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen—both of whom will reportedly return for the 2026 campaign: As Schefter notes, Irsay-Gordon will hold a press conference with the media on Monday. While there’s a […]

Colts’ Shane Steichen, Michael Pittman Jr. address uncertain team futures postgame

Both Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. addressed their murky futures with the franchise post-game, following another disappointing late season collapse (via WISH-TV News and The Athletic’s James Boyd respectively): Regarding Steichen, the 40-year-old head coach has failed to make the playoffs in his first three years as Colts […]

Riley Leonard shows promise in strong debut as a first-time starter

Rookie quarterback Riley Leonard showed that he belongs after his first NFL start against the Houston Texans in the Indianapolis Colts’ 2025-26 regular season finale. A sixth-round draft selection (189th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, Leonard went from training with fellow Alabama native Philip Rivers in the pre-draft process to learning directly from him […]

Alec Pierce records first 1000-yard season of his career

Houston, we have a problem — it’s called stopping Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce. After hauling in a 53-yard reception from rookie quarterback Riley Leonard, Pierce notched his first career 1,000+ yard season after four seasons in Indianapolis. It’s the first 1,000-yard season from a Colts passcatcher since Michael Pittman Jr. had 1,152 receiving […]

Week 18 Colts vs. Texans Game discussion

The Indianapolis Colts are on the road to take on the Houston Texans in week 18 of the 2025 season, kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. EST. Well this is it. The season ends today. The season didn’t go the way anyone wanted it to, but there were plenty of highs to go along with even more lows. […]

Colts announce Week 18 inactives against Texans for regular season finale

The Indianapolis Colts announced their Week 18 inactives on the road against the Houston Texans for the regular season finale: No real surprises here, as cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) and tight end Will Mallory (lung) had already been ruled out ahead of the weekend. Given that the Colts have already been eliminated from playoff contention, […]

Where to Watch: Colts at Texans for Week 18

The Indianapolis Colts (8-8) travel to the infamous ‘House that T.Y. Hilton Built’ to take on the Houston Texans (11-5)(-9.5), who have already clinched a playoff berth, but could still win the division with a victory today. Kickoff is Sunday at 1 PM EST. While Colts fans wish this particular Texas trip was under better […]

Pair of ESPN Insiders believe Colts GM Chris Ballard’s job is safe, but far from certain

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, the initial speculation is that Indianapolis Colts longtime general manager Chris Ballard’s job is safe, but under the differing leadership of new team owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon, who doesn’t have a track history for her decision-making atop, no one exactly knows for sure right now: Graziano: […]

Colts elevate QB2 and backup TE from practice squad ahead of Texans game

On Saturday, the Indianapolis Colts announced that the team has elevated quarterback Seth Henigan, as well as tight end Sean McKeon from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s road game against the Houston Texans. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Memphis, the listed 6’3”, […]

Report: Colts defensive line coach Charlie Partridge joining Notre Dame staff

According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Indianapolis Colts veteran defensive line coach Charlie Partridge will be joining Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman’s defensive coaching staff next year: Partridge had just finished his second season as Colts’ defensive line coach. However, having come over from the University of Pittsburgh in 2023, where he had previously […]

To surprise of no one, Colts QB Philip Rivers will retire again following close of 2025 campaign

On ‘The Kay Adams Show,‘ Indianapolis Colts unretired longtime veteran quarterback Philip Rivers recently announced *drum roll* that he’ll retire again following the close of the 2025 campaign: With injuries to their top two starting quarterbacks, the 44-year-old Rivers shockingly came out of retirement after a pure desperation call by the Colts, despite having not […]

Despite future in Indy in air, Colts QB Anthony Richardson saying the right things

Earlier this week, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen indicated that quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is still recovering from fractured orbital bone surgery, wouldn’t not be activated off of injured reserve for the team’s regular season finale against the Houston Texans. It came after thoughtful deliberation, as Richardson is still dealing with vision limitations. Specifically, […]

Report: Colts DC Lou Anarumo already among interview candidates for current NFL head coaching vacancy

According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Indianapolis Colts veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is among the initial top interview candidates for the New York Giants current head coaching vacancy: “The first assignment is to find a new head coach. The Giants fired Brian Daboll almost eight weeks ago and named Mike Kafka the interim head coach,” writes Ranaan. […]

Colts Mock Draft: A New QB Emerges + A Colts Vet on the Move

Round 2, Pick 50: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss The Colts QB position remains a major question mark. Daniel Jones has suffered 12 injuries since 2019, 9 of which resulted in missed games. The most major of which is the most recent one, a torn Achilles late in the 2025 season. It is far from […]

Poll: Will the Colts finish the season strong?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Colts fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. Heading into Week 18, we want to know how you’re feeling after watching the team so […]

Does Shane Steichen survive “Black Monday” and stay as Colts coach?

Garfield hates Mondays. If he was the coach of a struggling NFL team, he would absolutely despise this upcoming one. “Black Monday” is the day after the regular season in which NFL coaches learn their fate. Every year, there are surprises. Some coaches who should be fired somehow skate by while others who get released […]

Bruce Arians implores the Colts to run it back: “Be patient”

Indianapolis, IN — Former Super Bowl-winning head coach Bruce Arians recently shared his thoughts on the state of the Indianapolis Colts, emphasizing the importance of patience as a reason to remain calm during challenging times. Arians has regularly appeared on The Pat McAfee Show for the 2025-26 NFL season, providing his insight and knowledge of […]

Can we see anything in week 18 to give the Colts hope for next season?

I am going to look at this question from the thought process that we will be signing Daniel Jones to a contract for some yet to be determined length and dollar amount. I may lose some of you with that declaration, but I struggle to endorse a different route. Of course the DJ injury brings […]