RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2026 season with a few important questions to answer, but that's a lot different than heading into a season without any hope.
This is still a team that showed it can play winning football when everything starts clicking.
Last year wasn't built on smoke and mirrors. The Colts weren't simply sneaking past struggling teams or catching lucky breaks every week. During their best stretch, they looked like a team that knew exactly who it was, playing confident football on both sides of the ball.
Now the challenge is carrying that momentum into a new season.
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The biggest storyline is Daniel Jones. He had a significant injury in 2025, but he's back. Quarterbacks often need a little time to get comfortable again, especially after missing meaningful action, but the Colts believe Jones can get back to the level that made him an attractive addition in the first place.
He's not the only player working his way back. DeForest Buckner and Alec Pierce are also looking to bounce back after injuries, giving Indianapolis a chance to regain some key pieces on both sides of the ball.
The front office also has a few business matters to sort through. Quenton Nelson, Josh Downs and Buckner are all in line for new contracts, though the Colts already checked one big item off the list by locking up Jonathan Taylor.
None of those situations are unusual for a team with playoff aspirations. In fact, they're signs that Indianapolis has talented players worth keeping around.
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The AFC won't make anything easy, and expecting everything to fall into place right away would be unrealistic. So, yes, the Colts might not make the Super Bowl this season. Still, there's a solid foundation here. If Jones returns to form, the injured players stay healthy and the roster continues to develop, the Colts have every reason to believe they can be right back in the playoffs.
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