The Indianapolis Colts had a rough season in 2022, with a disappointing record that left fans feeling frustrated and uncertain about the future of the franchise.
With the hiring of former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as their new head coach, there is reason to hope that the team can turn things around and make significant progress in the coming year.
Steichen has a strong track record of success in the NFL, and his experience helping guide the Eagles to the Super Bowl this year makes him a promising choice to lead the Colts forward. With that in mind, let’s explore three predictions for what the future might hold for the Indianapolis Colts in the upcoming season.
Colts Prediction #1: Drafting the Rookie of the Year
The Indianapolis Colts have been searching for their next franchise quarterback ever since they parted ways with Matt Ryan. The 2023 NFL Draft provides them with an excellent opportunity to find that player, and it’s likely that they will select a quarterback with their fourth overall pick.
Whoever they choose will have the benefit of working with a talented coaching staff led by the new head coach – Shane Steichen. This staff has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks, and they will be able to provide the rookie with the tools and guidance necessary to succeed in the NFL.
Assuming the Colts select a quarterback with their first-round pick, there’s a good chance that player will win NFL Rookie of the Year honors for the 2023-2024 season. This is because the rookie will have the immediate chance to lead a team that has undergone a terrible season.
Of course, there are no guarantees in football, and the quarterback will need to work hard and perform at a high level in order to win Rookie of the Year honors. However, based on the potential of a newly built coaching staff and supporting cast, as well as the strength of the 2023 quarterback draft class, it’s certainly within the realm of possibility that the Colts’ next quarterback will take home this award.
Colts Prediction #2: Jonathan Taylor Comeback
Despite an injury-plagued 2022-2023 campaign, there are plenty of reasons to believe that Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor will bounce back in a big way next season. While he missed a significant portion of the 2022 season due to injury, Taylor has already shown that he has the talent and drive to be one of the most dominant running backs in the league when he is healthy and playing at full strength.
Additionally, Taylor underwent ankle surgery in January, which should help to ensure that he is fully recovered and ready to take on the challenges of the 2023-2024 season. Assuming that the Colts are able to address their offensive line issues and give Taylor the support he needs to succeed, there’s every reason to believe that he will be a major force to be reckoned with in the upcoming year, and could potentially even surpass his impressive previous outputs if all goes well.
Colts Prediction #3: 8-9 Record
After a disappointing 2022-2023 season, there’s plenty of room for optimism when it comes to the future of the Indianapolis Colts. Despite high expectations heading into last year, the team was unable to live up to its potential and finished with a subpar record, leaving many fans feeling frustrated and uncertain about what the future might hold. However, with the hiring of new head coach Shane Steichen, the return of a healthy Jonathan Taylor, and the potential acquisition of a future star quarterback in the upcoming draft, there are plenty of reasons to believe that the Colts could make significant progress next season.
While it may be unrealistic to expect them to make a run at the Super Bowl right away, an 8-9 record seems like a reasonable prediction for a team with as much talent and potential as the Colts. If they can continue to build on their strengths, address their weaknesses, and work together as a cohesive unit, there’s no telling how far they might be able to go in the upcoming season and beyond.
