The 2025 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 73rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 42nd in Indianapolis, and their 18th playing their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was also their ninth under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard and their third under head coach Shane Steichen. The Colts matched their 8–9 record from last year following a Week 10 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin. Following the death of owner Jim Irsay on May 21, 2025, this was the first season of ownership split among his three daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Kalen Jackson, and Casey Foyt. On May 27, 2025, the Colts announced that they would add Jim Irsay patches to their uniforms throughout the entire season in his honor. On June 13, 2025, the Colts announced that they would induct Jim Irsay into their Ring of Honor during their 2025 home opener.
Before the season, the Colts brought in veteran quarterback Daniel Jones, who won the starting position over Anthony Richardson. The Colts won their first season opener since 2013 with a 33–8 blowout win over the Miami Dolphins, ending a streak of 11 consecutive seasons not winning the first game of their season. The Colts were the first team in NFL history to score on their first 10 possessions of the season, and their 103 points through the first three games are the most to start a season since moving to Indianapolis, 2 more than they scored in their first 3 games in 2000. It was, however, 14 less than what they scored in their first 3 games in 1967 when they were based in Baltimore. The team's 8–2 start was their best start since they started 14–0 in their 2009 season, when they went on to reach and lose Super Bowl XLIV, and they were one win away from topping last year's record. However, despite this strong start as well as leading the AFC South, they suffered a late-season collapse and proceeded to end the season on a 7-game losing streak after their bye week, with Jones suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars as well. They were eliminated from playoff contention for the 5th consecutive season after the Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/the_great_collapse_how_the_2025_colts_went_from_8_2_to_watching_the_playoffs_from_the_couch/s1_17396_43257434 As a result, the Colts became the first team since the 2012 Chicago Bears to start the season 7–1 yet miss the playoffs. After a Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans, the Colts became the first team in NFL history to finish the season with a losing record after an 8–2 start. It was also the first time since the 1997–1998 seasons that the Colts suffered consecutive losing seasons. During the season, Jonathan Taylor broke Colts legend Edgerrin James' record for most rushing touchdowns as a Colt with 69; the previous record was 64. Although the Colts matched their 8–9 record from last season, 7 of the losses were by 8 points or fewer.
Offseason Players additions Position Player Former team Date S Camryn Bynum Minnesota Vikings March 12 QB Daniel Jones March 13 CB Charvarius Ward San Francisco 49ers March 13 LB Joe Bachie Cincinnati Bengals May 7 CB Xavien Howard Miami Dolphins August 18
Players lost Position Player New team DateC Ryan Kelly Minnesota Vikings March 12G Will Fries DE Dayo Odeyingbo Chicago Bears March 13LB Grant Stuard Detroit Lions TE Kylen Granson Philadelphia Eagles March 20LB E. J. Speed Houston Texans March 29QB Sam Ehlinger Denver Broncos March 31 Joe Flacco Cleveland Browns April 11
Draft
+ 2025 Indianapolis Colts draft selections Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 14 Tyler Warren TE Penn State 2 45 JT Tuimoloau DE Ohio State 3 80 Justin Walley CB Minnesota 4 117 Traded to the Los Angeles Rams 127 Jalen Travis OT Iowa State From LA Rams 5 151 DJ Giddens RB Kansas State 6 189 Riley Leonard QB Notre Dame 190 Tim Smith DT Alabama From LA Rams 7 232 Hunter Wohler LB Wisconsin
+ 2025 Indianapolis Colts undrafted free agents Name Position College Ref. Devonta Davis OT Florida Atlantic Solomon DeShields LB Texas A&M Johnathan Edwards CB Tulane Joe Evans OT UTSA Marshall Foerner T Minnesota State Tyler Kahmann WR Emporia State Desmond Little DE UAB Maximilian Mang TE Syracuse Coleman Owen WR Ohio Landon Parker WR Troy Blayne Taylor WR Abilene Christian LaDarius Tennison S UCF Maddux Trujillo K Temple Trey Washington S Mississippi State Wyett Ekeler S Wyoming
Staff
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Baltimore Ravens L 16–24 0–1 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 2 Green Bay Packers L 19–23 0–2 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 3 at Cincinnati Bengals W 41–14 1–2 Paycor Stadium Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 7 Miami Dolphins W 33–8 1–0 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 2 September 14 Denver Broncos W 29–28 2–0 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 3 September 21 at Tennessee Titans W 41–20 3–0 Nissan Stadium Recap 4 September 28 at Los Angeles Rams L 20–27 3–1 SoFi Stadium Recap 5 October 5 Las Vegas Raiders W 40–6 4–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 6 October 12 Arizona Cardinals W 31–27 5–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 7 October 19 atLos Angeles Chargers W 38–24 6–1 SoFi Stadium Recap 8 October 26 Tennessee Titans W 38–14 7–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 9 November 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 20–27 7–2 Acrisure Stadium Recap 10 November 9 Atlanta Falcons W 31–25 8–2 Olympiastadion Recap 11Bye 12 November 23 at Kansas City Chiefs L 20–23 8–3 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 13 November 30 Houston Texans L 16–20 8–4 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 14 December 7 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 19–36 8–5 EverBank Stadium Recap 15 December 14 at Seattle Seahawks L 16–18 8–6 Lumen Field Recap 16 San Francisco 49ers L 27–48 8–7 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 17 December 28 Jacksonville Jaguars L 17–23 8–8 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 18 January 4 at Houston Texans L 30–38 8–9 NRG Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins
With the win, the Colts started 1–0 for the first time since 2013. Quarterback Daniel Jones, in his debut with the Colts, led every single drive to a touchdown or field goal, the first time this has happened in the NFL since 1978.
Week 2: vs. Denver Broncos
On the game's final play, kicker Spencer Shrader missed a 60-yard field goal with no time left. However, a 15-yard leverage penalty on Broncos' Dondrea Tillman moved the ball closer, and Shrader converted the ensuing 45-yard attempt. The Colts improved to 2–0 for the first time since 2009. They also became the first team in the Super Bowl era to not punt once in the first two weeks.
Week 3: at Tennessee Titans
On the Colts' third drive of the game, they punted for the first time in the 2025 season, ending a streak of 20 consecutive drives without a punt. It was their only punt of the game, marking just one punt over the team's first three games of the season. This is the fewest punts by any team through the first three games of an NFL season since at least 1940. With the win (their fifth straight over the Titans), the Colts improve to 3–0.
Week 4: at Los Angeles Rams
In the second half, WR Adonai Mitchell had what would have been a 76-yard touchdown, but he fumbled the ball before he crossed the goal line, which was one of 3 Colts turnovers during the game. He also had a holding penalty which prevented a 54-yard go-ahead touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor, which forced the Colts to punt and allowed the Rams to score a game-winning 88-yard touchdown with under two minutes left in the game. With their first loss of the season, the Colts fall to 3–1.
Week 5: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders scored first and held a 3–0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the remainder of the game was dominated by Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Raiders in a blowout, winning by a 34-point margin. Running back Jonathan Taylor had a standout performance, recording three rushing touchdowns. The 34-point victory marked the Colts’ largest margin of victory since a 37–3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013. Additionally, the Colts' offensive line did not allow a single sack, ending the Raiders' league-longest active streak of games with at least one sack. Indianapolis headed back to their winning ways, improving to 4–1 to start the year for the first time since 2013.
Following the game, it was revealed that kicker Spencer Shrader had suffered multiple torn ligaments and would miss the remainder of the season.
Week 6: vs. Arizona Cardinals
With the win, the Colts improved to 5–1 for the first time since 2009.
Week 7: at Los Angeles Chargers
The Colts scored five total touchdowns in the game, with Michael Pittman Jr. and Tyler Warren each recording one, and Jonathan Taylor rushing for three scores. Defensively, the Colts intercepted Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert twice.
With their first win over the Chargers since the 2016 season, the Colts improved to 6–1. They also recorded their first road win in Los Angeles since 1986, when they defeated the then–Los Angeles Raiders.
Week 8: vs. Tennessee Titans
Jonathan Taylor once again dominated the Titans, rushing for 153 yards on 12 carries and scoring three touchdowns. With that performance, Taylor became the first player in NFL history to record three touchdowns in three consecutive games against the same opponent.
With the win, the Colts improved to 7–1. It marked the team's sixth straight win over Tennessee, as well as their third consecutive season sweep.
Week 9: at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Colts' top-ranked offense struggled against the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense. Pittsburgh forced six turnovers and sacked Daniel Jones five times. The Colts’ 20 points tied a season low, and Jonathan Taylor was held to a season-low 45 yards on 14 carries. With the upset loss, the Colts dropped to 7–2 and extended their losing streak in Pittsburgh to five games. They once again failed to win in Pittsburgh, not having done so since 2008.
Week 10: vs. Atlanta Falcons NFL International Series
The Colts participated in the first NFL regular-season game held in Berlin, Germany. Jonathan Taylor delivered another standout performance, recording 244 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including an 83-yard touchdown run, the longest run of the NFL season, and an 8-yard rushing touchdown in overtime that secured the victory for the Colts. With the overtime win, the Colts matched their 2024 win total and moved into a tie with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots for the best record in the NFL at 8–2.
Taylor's 83-yard touchdown run moved him past Hall of Famer Edgerrin James for the most rushing touchdowns (65) in Colts franchise history.
Week 12: at Kansas City Chiefs
The Colts' rushing attack was limited, as Jonathan Taylor was held to 58 yards on 16 carries. Although the Colts led 20–9 entering the fourth quarter, the Chiefs rallied. Kansas City's defense forced the Colts to go three-and-out on each of their final four possessions, and the Chiefs eventually kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime. Kansas City defeated the Colts at Arrowhead Stadium in the regular season for the first time since 2004. Additionally, Patrick Mahomes recorded his first career regular season win against the Colts after previously going 0–2. With their first loss to Kansas City since 2018, the Colts fell to 8–3 and finished 3–1 against the AFC West.
Week 13: vs. Houston Texans
The Colts suffered their first home loss of the season.
Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Near the end of the first quarter, Daniel Jones suffered an Achilles injury that forced him out for the remainder of the game. Without Jones, the Colts struggled yet again against the Jaguars, losing their third straight game. The loss dropped their record to 8–5 overall, 2–2 against the AFC South, and extended their losing streak in Jacksonville to 11 games.