There were a lot of ups and downs for the Colts in 2025. Unfortunately, the downs outweighed the ups.

Leaving 2025 well behind, the Colts had several winners and losers from the season. This list focuses on players who either have significant upside heading into 2026 or outperformed in 2026. It also focuses on players who underperformed or have question marks, negatively, for 2026.

The Losers

Anthony Richardson

Once again, Anthony Richardson is leaving an NFL season with questions surrounding his ability to stay healthy. Even though he began the year as the backup and only had two pass attempts, he managed to get injured off the field in a freak accident. One of the big issues in Richardson’s short NFL career thus far has been his inability to stay healthy. Even as a backup, he couldn’t avoid the injury bug, and with how well Riley Leonard played, there is a good chance that the Colts end up moving on from their former fourth-overall pick. This isn’t to say that Richardson is a bust. However, he might just have to try and thrive somewhere else.

Michael Pittman Jr.

After signing a hefty contract extension, worth $70M, Michael Pittman Jr. has not played as well as a true number one receiver should. In 2025, he only had 784 yards and 7 touchdowns. Although he was healthy for all 17 games and has been reliable on that front, the production was lacking. Pittman did not rank in the top 15 in any major receiving category. (He did rank 15th with 10 other receivers). He also had six drops this season, which surpassed the four total drops he had in the previous two seasons combined. By all accounts, Alec Pierce and Tyler Warren were more productive and explosive.

Charvarius Ward

Charvarius Ward was considered a huge asset to the defense when he was brought in this past offseason. The Colts expected veteran talent and influence in the secondary. Unfortunately, he couldn’t stay healthy and struggled at times against top receivers. He allowed 51.7 yards per game to receivers with a 13.9 yards per reception rate. Needless to say, this production was not what the Colts were looking for when they brought him in.

At 32 years old and with multiple concussions last year, Ward is contemplating retirement. By all accounts, this might be a good idea for his own physical safety. The Colts are well aware of Ward’s comments on retirement, and will plan accordingly if that is the direction he chooses.

The Winners

Tyler Warren

One of the biggest bright spots in 2025 was rookie tight end Tyler Warren. The Colts drafted Warren with the 14th overall pick, and many believed that he was the steal of the draft. With 817 receiving yards and dismanteling the Colts history books, it is safe to say that he was, indeed, a steal.

Alec Pierce

For the first time in his career, Alec Pierce had over 1,000 receiving yards. Pierce led the team in receiving yards and led the league, for the second straight season, in yards per catch. Needless to say, Pierce is a true deep threat and one that the Colts must have on their offense. Pierce is at the end of his rookie contract in 2026. Thus, if the Colts want to contend for the playoffs next year, they need to bring Pierce back with a big paycheck.

Riley Leonard

The Colts are going to have many tough decisions to make in 2026. One of them is what to do with their backup quarterback? Assuming that Daniel Jones returns with a contract extension, the Colts are not going to keep both Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard. In 2025, Leonard proved that he belongs in this league and could be a reliable backup quarterback if called upon. In Week 18, against many of the Texans elite defensive players, he command of the offense, looked very comfortable, was accurate down the field, and was allusive with his legs. If the Colts decide to part ways with Anthony Richardson, they would be set up well with Riley Leonard as a backup.