Five ways Indianapolis can get back to being one of the NFL’s top teams in 2026

(Darron Cummings | Credit: AP)

Colts fans have heard it countless times by now: if only the team could return to the standard it set during its 8–2 start in 2025. If only injuries hadn’t piled up. If only the defense had been faster. The desire to return to greatness is still there, but the excuses have run out. 

Fortunately, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen seem to recognize that reality and are approaching this season with a renewed sense of urgency. The question now becomes: how do the Colts rediscover their peak form and sustain it over a full season? 

Here are five ways Indianapolis can get back to being one of the NFL’s top teams in 2026. 

5. Lock Down the Field and Stay Healthy 

“Stay healthy” may sound simple, but it’s one of the most defining factors in the Colts’ success this year. Injuries didn’t just hurt depth last season; they completely disrupted continuity, especially in the secondary. 

Charvarius Ward battled multiple concussions to the point where retirement became a real conversation. Kenny Moore missed extended time. Rookie standout Justin Walley tore his ACL before ever taking a regular-season snap. Jaylon Jones didn’t return until Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even Sauce Gardner wasn’t at full strength when he arrived in Indianapolis. 

That’s not just bad luck that’s a unit that never had a chance to fully gel. 

And in Lou Anarumo’s system, chemistry matters. His scheme relies heavily on communication, disguised coverages, and trust between corners and safeties. When that continuity is constantly broken, even talented players can look out of sync. 

That’s what makes this group so intriguing heading into 2026. On paper, it’s elite. Cam Taylor-Britt brings built-in familiarity with the system. Gardner, when healthy, is still one of the most technically sound corners in football. Walley adds youth and upside, especially if he’s able to return to form. 

So, the goal isn’t just to “lock down the field” it’s to finally see what this group looks like with consistency. Because if they stay on the field together, this secondary doesn’t just improve, it becomes a strength that can carry the defense if needed. 

4. Swarm to the Ball 

You won’t contend for a division title if you can’t tackle, and the Colts didn’t just struggle in that area; they were near the bottom of the league. 

The 170 missed tackles weren’t just numbers, they were drive extenders, momentum killers, and, in many cases, the difference between getting off the field and giving up points. 

That’s why the Colts made linebacker a focal point in the draft. This wasn’t just about adding bodies, it was about reshaping the identity of the defense. 

CJ Allen (Georgia) and Bryce Boettcher (Oregon) bring speed, physicality, and a downhill mindset that the Colts were missing. They’re not just reacting, they’re attacking. And that’s something this defense desperately needs. 

Then there’s Hunter Wohler, who essentially enters this season as a “new” contributor after missing time. If he can stay healthy, he adds another layer of versatility to the unit. 

The emphasis here is clear: play faster, close quicker, and finish plays. 

Because when a defense swarms, it doesn’t just stop plays earlier; it creates chaos. Turnovers increase. Third downs get shorter. Offenses get uncomfortable. 

That’s the version of the Colts’ defense that needs to show up in 2026. 

3. Trust Jonathan Taylor 

At times last season, it felt like the Colts were overthinking something that didn’t need to be complicated. 

Jonathan Taylor would start to find a rhythm, breaking off chunk runs, wearing down a defense and then suddenly, the offense would pivot away from him. Not because it stopped working, but seemingly because of a predetermined game plan. 

That has to change. 

Even when Daniel Jones was at quarterback, the lack of offensive adjustment stood out. There were games where the run was clearly the more effective option, yet the playcalling didn’t reflect it. 

And that’s not a Jonathan Taylor issue that’s an identity issue. 

The Colts have the offensive line to impose their will. When they’re playing at their best, they control the tempo, open running lanes, and force defenses to commit extra bodies to the box. That’s when everything else opens up, play-action, intermediate routes, even explosive plays downfield. 

But when they abandon that identity, the offense becomes predictable in a different way - pass-heavy, reactive, and easier to defend. 

Taylor was on pace to be one of the best backs in football before the offense unraveled late in the year. Assuming he stays healthy, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be the centerpiece again. 

This isn’t about forcing touches it’s about recognizing when he’s the best option and sticking with it. Let him dictate the game. Let him wear defenses down. 

Because when Taylor is rolling, the entire offense feels different. 

2. Get Home: Pressure the Quarterback 

The Colts are clearly betting on potential when it comes to their pass rush, and that’s where some of the uncertainty comes in. 

Adding George Gumbs Jr. (Florida) and Caden Curry (Ohio State) gives the defensive line more depth and energy, but neither is a proven NFL producer yet. That puts a lot of pressure on internal development, especially for Laiatu Latu. 

This is a big year for Latu. The expectation isn’t just improvement, its production. The Colts need him to emerge as a consistent pass-rushing threat, not just someone who flashes potential. 

Because without that, the defense runs into the same issue as last year: too much time for opposing quarterbacks. 

Even the best secondary can only hold up for so long. If the pass rush isn’t getting home, coverage eventually breaks down. 

That’s where Lou Anarumo and new defensive line coach Marion Hobby come in. Scheme can help stunts, blitz packages, disguises, but at some point, it comes down to winning one-on-one matchups. 

The Colts don’t need the league’s top pass rush, but they do need consistency. They need pressure that forces quicker throws, disrupts timing, and creates mistakes. 

If they can get that, it changes everything defensively. 

1. Find and Sustain Offensive Consistency 

If there’s one thing that defined the Colts at their peak, it was how effortless the offense looked early in the season. 

They weren’t just scoring they were controlling games. There was a stretch where punting almost felt unnecessary. Every drive had purpose, rhythm, and confidence. 

That didn’t happen by accident. 

It came from balance, execution, and a clear understanding of identity. They knew who they were and more importantly, they played like it. 

But as the season progressed, that consistency faded. Injuries played a role, but so did predictability. 

There were too many moments where the offense felt stuck relying on the same short concepts; the same play calls, without adjusting to how defenses were responding. 

And in the NFL, that’s all it takes. Once teams figure you out, you either adapt or you stall. 

That’s the next step for Shane Steichen. Not just building a system but evolving it. 

Finding new ways to create mismatches. Mixing in different looks. Keeping defenses guessing instead of letting them settle in. 

Because the ceiling of this offense is still incredibly high. We’ve already seen it. 

The challenge now is sustaining it not just for a few weeks, but for an entire season. 

You could rearrange these priorities in a number of ways, but the foundation stays the same: know your identity, stay adaptable, and commit to improving every week. 

As Shane Steichen said last season, the year really begins in November. That’s when depth is tested, adjustments matter most, and good teams separate themselves. 

If the Colts want to be in that conversation again, they can’t just rely on what they’ve shown before, they must build on it. 

And if they do, this team won’t just be chasing its 2025 form, it might surpass it. 

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