The Colts are one move away from being on a similar path to two NFL dynasties
The Indianapolis Colts could have a rare opportunity this offseason to make a move that puts them on a similar path as the two most recent dynasties in the NFL. Those teams are the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots. And it may sound crazy, but the Colts could be on the brink […]
The Indianapolis Colts could have a rare opportunity this offseason to make a move that puts them on a similar path as the two most recent dynasties in the NFL.
Those teams are the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots.
And it may sound crazy, but the Colts could be on the brink of following an important part of both blueprints.
The Chiefs & Patriots Success:
The Chiefs are the reigning Super Bowl champions and have had a strong hold on the AFC. They are preparing for their sixth straight AFC Championship game and have won three of the last five. Which led them to secure two Super Bowl wins. They had earned the honor of hosting the previous five at their home field, Arrowhead Stadium. But this year, they are preparing for their first road matchup in the AFC Championship during this stretch against the Baltimore Ravens.
Before the Chiefs, the Patriots dominated the NFL (to the dismay of the Colts and their fans). The Patriots appeared in eight straight AFC Championships from 2011 to 2018. Before that impressive run, they appeared in five from 2001 to 2007. In total, they won eight AFC Championships and went on to win six Super Bowls.
How the Colts can follow their blueprint:
As you read above, the Chiefs and Patriots both had tremendous success. And while there are multiple differences in how those teams were assembled, from top to bottom, there is one massive similarity.
A Top Tier QB:
- Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
- Patriots: Tom Brady
A Respected Head Coach:
- Chiefs: Andy Reid
- Patriots: Bill Belichick
A Game Changing TE:
- Chiefs: Travis Kelce
- Patriots: Rob Gronkowski
I know what you are thinking, and likely even saying out loud right now, "The Colts don't have any of those things right now." And technically, you are correct, but if you asked the team, they believe that two of those three things are currently under contract with the team, just waiting to prove themselves to the rest of the NFL.
The first being head coach Shane Steichen, who led the Colts to a 9-8 season during his first year as an NFL head coach. This may not sound like a spectacular season to the naked eye. But considering the Colts are just a year removed from the Colts, only winning four games in 2022 and suffering countless injuries on their roster this past year, I'd argue that Steichen showed signs of being one of the best coaches in the NFL in just his first season. Many inside the Colts building believe it was just the beginning of what they believe will be an excellent coaching career.
The next being their soon-to-be second-year QB, Anthony Richardson. His rookie season ended prematurely due to a Grade three AC Joint sprain he suffered during the team's Week 5 matchup with the Tennesee Titans. And while they didn't get to see as much as they would have liked, they believe he showed flashes of being one of the best QBs in the entire NFL. Two QBs who were playing in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs who come to mind when I watch Richardson's rookie season tape back would be Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. We saw the mobility that both possess and how hard it is for a defense to take that ability away from them. Even in a small sample size, Richardson proved to be one of the best pure runners at the QB position in the entire NFL. And to quote Chris Ballard during his end-of-season press conference, "This guy is a passer." Seeing the jaw-dropping throws that Jackson and Allen have the ability to make while both still make countless plays with their legs gives a clear picture of the style of QB that the Colts and many others see in Richardson.
Which only leaves the game-changing TE. The Colts used a TE-by-committee approach this past season, which many teams around the NFL use. The reason for that is if you don't have one of the few "game-changing TEs," the drop-off is significant. Looking at the NFL today for examples of TEs that fit that bill would be Chiefs' Travis Kelce, Ravens' Mark Andrews, and San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle. And each of their teams just so happens to still be alive in the NFL playoffs for the upcoming conference championships. The only other team still alive is the Detroit Lions, who just saw their rookie TE Sam LaPorta have one of the best rookie seasons by any TE in NFL history.
This is just proof of how valuable it is to have that level of player at the TE position. And the Colts find themselves with the opportunity to add one in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. They hold pick 15 in the first round and have already had multiple NFL Draft experts predict that they will select TE Brock Bowers out of the University of Georiga.
Some fans have pushed back on this pick, saying the Colts have more dire needs. And while there are positions that they are weaker at currently, I believe the advantage that comes with having a TE of Bowers caliber is invaluable. We will have to wait and see if Bowers makes it to the Colts pick at 15, but if he is there, I think the blueprint shared above makes it clear what they should do. Give Steichen a TE like Bowers to design plays for with a living cheat code QB like Richardson, and they might grow together into one of the juggernaut offenses in the NFL.
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