The Indianapolis Colts enter the first season of the Shane Steichen era with varying levels of expectations. On one hand, Indianapolis has the high-end talent to make noise in a wide open division. 

But on the other hand, the Colts are entering a new era and coming off a season in which they selected No. 4 overall in the NFL Draft. Granted, the Colts were hit by the injury bug in a big way and went through a midseason coaching change.

The development and play of rookie Anthony Richardson will play a major role in how successful the Colts are. As it stands, CBS Sports is not buying the first-year quarterback turning Indianapolis into a playoff contender right out of the gate.

Instead, NFL writer Tyler Sullivan considers the Colts to be in a rebuilding stage entering the 2023 season. Which isn't totally wrong, given that Indianapolis has a first-year head coach at the helm and potentially a rookie signal caller leading the way.

But the Colts are hoping to make noise with Jonathan Taylor and Quenton Nelson expected to get back to form. As well as Shaquille Leonard, who is coming off injury himself but is considered among the best at his position.

Neither the Houston Texans nor the Indianapolis Colts are expected to be competitive in 2023. Most important for these franchises is making sure that both of their top-five quarterbacks — C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson — get through their rookie seasons without any damage to their development and set up a foundation for the rest of their careers. 

Sullivan does explain that there could be growing pains early on if Richardson is thrown into the fire early. However, that kind of experience could make the Colts a force before too long.

Stroud nor Richardson has officially been named their team's Week 1 starter to this point, but it's fair to expect both of these players getting starts relatively early this coming season. That may not result in winning football on Day 1, but so long as they show that they have the potential to be franchise quarterbacks, that'll be a win for both of these teams heading into 2024. 

Still, the bar has been set low for the Indianapolis Colts by Sullivan and CBS Sports as the 2023 NFL season approaches. It will be up to Steichen, Richardson and company to clear it and make some noise.

Colts star has big chip on his shoulder for upcoming season

Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor has slid down in the rankings of the best running backs in the NFL.

Featured image via Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK