Nasir Adderley signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts to return from retirement.

Adderley retired from the NFL in 2022 after four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. He cited health, family and entrepreneurship goals as reasons for his retirement.

The Chargers drafted Adderley in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he played just four games. In 2021, he had 99 tackles in 15 games. He was a relatively healthy player, playing in at least 14 games from 2020 to 2022. However, he abruptly announced his retirement during the 2023 offseason. 

His return to the NFL felt just as sudden as his departure. The Colts had already signed Jonathan Owens and Juanyeh Thomas at the safety position. This is, along with already having Hunter Wohler and Cam Bynum. 

Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo strives for versatility in his defense, particularly in the secondary. He’s known for changing his schemes drastically depending on the opponent. While with the Cincinnati Bengals, he made many adjustments to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs on the road to a Super Bowl appearance. 

During his best season in 2021, Adderley had Renaldo Hill as his defensive coordinator. Hill is also known for versatility in his scheme. The main difference is that Hill was generally pretty consistent with having two-high safeties. Still, working in a versatile scheme like this can help prepare a defender for many different future schemes. 

The Colts currently have the fourth-longest playoff drought in football. They last made the playoffs in the 2020 season. Only the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints have longer playoff droughts. 

The Colts were 8-5 before Daniel Jones suffered an Achilles injury. The Colts are trusting that the roster can return to their peak form from last season. They have signed Jones and Alec Pierce to extensions.

Just days after playing his last game at Notre Dame, Carson Towt has signed with the Indianapolis Colts to play tight end.

Towt has never played football at the high school or college level. Despite this, his 6-foot-7 frame puts him at an advantage against most NFL defenders.

Towt started his college basketball career at Northern Arizona in 2020-21. He started 19 games in his freshman season and averaged 5.6 points per game.

He played four seasons at Northern Arizona. He missed the 2023-24 season with an injury. He returned for his senior season in 2024-25 and averaged a career-high 13.3 points per game. 

Due to his injury, Towt was awarded an extra season of eligibility. He transferred to Notre Dame to play his final season. His points per game dipped to just 5.9. 

Realistically speaking, Towt’s prospects in the NBA were slim at best. For starters, he didn’t take a single 3-pointer in his college career. The NBA emphasizes the three-ball now more than ever. Having a forward who refuses to shoot is unheard of in the modern NBA. Although he’s big overall, he’s not tall or strong enough to play center in the NBA, the only position where a complete non-shooter could be acceptable.

In fairness, he did improve his mid-range shot during his final two seasons. Despite this, his free-throw shooting was still abysmal, shooting under 40 percent in his final two seasons. Essentially, his shooting woes make him a liability on a modern NBA court.

His height is more impressive in the NFL game. 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-7 is generally on the taller end for NFL TEs. 

NFL training camps will start in July. Towt will need to compete with several NFL-level TEs on the Colts for a roster spot.  

The Indianapolis Colts have signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a two-year extension.

His contract will be for $88 million. The Colts have made an effort to bring back their 2025 offense, as they also signed Alec Pierce to an extension.

Jones is coming off a career year with the Colts, where he had a career-high 100.2 passer rating. However, he also tore his Achilles which caused him to miss the final four games of the season. 

The Colts had an 8-5 record with Jones and went on a four-game losing streak without him. Jones expects to be ready to play by the 2026 season opener.

Jones started his career with the New York Giants, where he was drafted with the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he took the starting QB duties from franchise legend Eli Manning. Jones threw 24 touchdowns, which is still a career high for him.

He spent the next couple of seasons struggling with injuries and inconsistencies. In the 2022 offseason, the Giants hired head coach Brian Daboll. Daboll’s offensive system had more motion than the previous systems Jones had played in. More motion allowed for receivers to get better looks, maximizing Jones’ throws. Although Jones didn’t put up big numbers, he had a career-low five interceptions.

However, the injury problems returned in 2023 and 2024. This led to Jones ‘ release. Although the Vikings signed him in 2024, he did not play in a game for them.

The Colts hoped that playing behind their elite offensive line could help Jones. Before his Achilles injury, it seemed like they were right. 

NFL training camps begin in July. This will be a key step in Jones’ recovery from the Achilles injury. He is expected to fully participate in training camp.

Alec Pierce has agreed to an extension with the Indianapolis Colts.

Pierce is expected to sign a four-year, $116 million contract with the Colts. Pierce was widely considered the best free agent in this free agency class and was off the board just hours after the legal tampering period started.

Pierce is coming off a career year where he had 1,003 receiving yards in 15 games. 

The Colts drafted Pierce in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in 16 games in his rookie season and had 593 receiving yards.

In 2024, he found his niche as a deep threat. Pierce led the league in yards per reception with 22.

A big reason for Pierce’s career year was the addition of Daniel Jones at quarterback. Jones showed improvement in several areas, including a career-high in yards per attempt with 8.1. The Colts were 8-5 with Jones before he tore his Achilles.

Jones is currently a free agent. The Colts have expressed interest in bringing him back. Backup QB Anthony Richardson is currently seeking a trade from the team. 

The New England Patriots were expected to pursue Pierce. They released Stefon Diggs earlier in the offseason. 

The Patriots didn’t completely miss out in free agency, though, as they signed Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year contract. 

For the Patriots or any other team in need of a wide receiver, there are still plenty of options left. Tyreek Hill is probably the most notable. He’s just three seasons removed from leading the league in receiving yards, but has dealt with injury and rapid decline. Romeo Doubs is generally considered the best free agent WR left. Doubs had 724 yards for the Green Bay Packers in 2025. 

Pierce and the Colts will officially sign the contract on March 11.

The Indianapolis Colts have given quarterback Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade.

This will allow Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, to speak with the GMs of other teams to persuade them to make a trade for Richardson. Richardson is represented by Legacy Sports. 

Richardson was drafted by the Colts with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was one of three QBs drafted in the first round that season, along with Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. 

Richardson started the 2023 season as the Colts’ starting QB. However, after four mediocre performances, he was benched for Gardner Minshew.

He was the starting QB for the 2024 season as well. He threw eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 11 games. Injuries and inconsistencies from Richardson allowed Joe Flacco to play six games. 

Heading into the 2025 season, Richardson was expected to compete with Daniel Jones for the starting spot. Jones won the starting spot out of training camp. He led the team to an 8-5 record before tearing his Achilles. Even after Jones was injured, the Colts chose to start 2025 draft pick Will Leonard instead. Richardson played in two games and made just two passes. 

Richardson has thrown 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in three seasons. ESPN reported that the Colts intend to try to re-sign Jones in free agency. There seems to be no spot for Richardson on the roster anymore. 

The New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers are two teams looking for QBs. The Steelers started Aaron Rodgers last season, who has yet to commit to playing in 2026. Meanwhile, the Jets started a revolving door of QBs, which included Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook. 

The NFL offseason officially begins on March 11. Although teams can agree to trades before this date, they will not be officially approved.

The Indianapolis Colts are reaching deep into NFL history in a bid to salvage their season, turning to 44-year-old Philip Rivers as injuries decimate their quarterback room.

Indianapolis signed Rivers to the practice squad Tuesday, bringing the future Hall of Famer out of a five-year retirement after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Sunday’s 36–19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones had been in the middle of a career revival, playing through a fractured fibula before his latest injury ended his 2025 campaign. `

Rookie Riley Leonard, who finished the game in Jacksonville, is dealing with a right knee injury but is still the favorite to start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve with a fractured orbital bone, leaving practice-squad veteran Brett Rypien as the only fully healthy quarterback before Rivers’ arrival.

Rivers hasn’t thrown an NFL pass since 2020, when he led the Colts to an 11–5 record and a narrow wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills, throwing for more than 4,000 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Since retiring, the grandfather has been the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama, guiding the Cardinals to back-to-back Class 4A semifinal appearances and a 42–16 record over five seasons.

At 8–5 after three straight losses, the Colts sit just outside the AFC playoff picture and face a brutal closing stretch that includes the Seahawks, 49ers, Jaguars and Texans. The signing of Rivers is both a depth move and a swing at stability.

Daniel Jones’ resurgent 2025 season with the Indianapolis Colts ended in the harshest way possible: a torn right Achilles in Sunday’s 36–19 loss to the Jaguars. The 28-year-old, who’d signed a one-year, $14 million deal. He threw for just over 3,100 yards with 19 touchdowns against 8 interceptions while even playing through a fractured fibula.

Now everything gets messy. Standard recovery timelines for an Achilles rupture run roughly 6–12 months, and even with modern procedures, players often need a full year before they truly look like themselves again.

For the Colts, it’s brutal déjà vu. Since Andrew Luck retired, they’ve cycled through a parade of short-term answers at quarterback, hoping Jones might finally stabilize the position. Instead, they’re back in the same cycle and they don’t even have an obvious long-term fix, with Anthony Richardson battling his own durability questions and rookie Riley Leonard pushed into action sooner than planned.

Jones’ market is just as uncertain. Kirk Cousins landed a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed from Atlanta only months after his own Achilles tear. But that contract is already being framed as a cautionary tale, tying up cap space for a team still unsure what will happen post-injury.

So instead of negotiating security and term, Jones and the Colts are staring at risk management: short deals, heavy protections, and contingency plans. What once looked like a clean solution at the game’s most important position has turned into yet another offseason question mark in Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Colts suffered their third defeat in four games on Sunday, losing 20-16 to the Houston Texans, dropping three places in the AFC standings.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported last week that quarterback Daniel Jones is currently battling through a fractured fibula injury. He completed 51.9% of his passing attempts during the loss amid Houston’s aggressive rush.

The loss puts the Colts, who began the season 7-1 and now have an 8-4 record and no longer lead the AFC South, with five games remaining.

Jones said he felt fine on the field despite the reported injury.

“[It] felt good today,” he said after Sunday’s game. “I think it’ll continue to improve week to week.”

The team’s offense scored 16 points against the Texans, its lowest total of the season. Before Sunday, the Colts scored 20 or more points in every match, with 30 or more seven times.

With Jones seemingly not fully fit, Indianapolis will host division leaders, the Jacksonville Jaguars, next Sunday. A win would push either side as the sole leader as the final stretch of the season begins.

“Putting your head down and going back to work,” Jones said on how the team can escape its current skid. “And making sure that I’m doing everything I need to do to put the team in a position to win games.”

On November 9, the Indianapolis Colts played against the Atlanta Falcons, when quarterback Daniel Jones had blood pouring from his mouth during the game.

The Colts played in Germany on Sunday morning, but they gave everything on the field.

This was the case for Jones, whose face the TV cameras captured in a close-up, with his mouth full of blood.

Jones’ injury left fans with serious concern, but that quickly dissolved into high praise after leading the Colts to a victory.

The Colts won 31-25, leaving them with an 8-2 record, having won eight games and lost two.

A fan posted on Twitter saying, “That clutch tie-up shows real grit – playing through a bloody lip like that. Solid effort!”

During the post-game press conference, there was no visible injury to his face.

Jones finished the game with 19 completions out of 26 attempts and gained 255 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked seven times with three fumbles.

In the days since the game, the image has been turned into a meme representing the determination of an athlete against the odds.

The next game for the Colts will be on November 23 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Indianapolis Colts achieved a 5-1 start to their season on Sunday, but not before enduring one of the strangest pregame injuries in recent history.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. and cornerback Charvarius Ward were both injured during warmups before the team’s 27-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. This forced quick adjustments just minutes before kick off.

Richardson is serving as the backup to starter Daniel Jones. Richardson suffered an orbital fracture when a resistance band snapped and hit him in the eye. The team’s medical staff immediately transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was evaluated and ruled out for the game. Head coach Shane Steichen said after the win that Richardson is expected to miss time.

Later, Ward was taken off the field after colliding with tight-end Drew Ogletree during a routine drill. The Colts’ defensive back was later diagnosed with a concussion—his second of the year. Ward previously missed the week two matchup against Denver for the same reason.

Despite the chaos, Jones delivered another strong performance, completing 22 of 30 passes for 212 yards with two touchdowns, an interception, and a rushing score. The Colts’ defense held steady without Ward, limiting the Cardinals to field goals on two key drives in the second half.

With the victory and Jacksonville’s loss to Seattle, Indianapolis moved into first place in the AFC South. Ward’s status for next week remains uncertain, while Richardson’s recovery timeline will depend on further evaluation.

Former owner of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay, suffered a series of drug relapses before his death last May, a new report from The Washington Post said.

Irsay, the longtime owner of the Colts, died at the age of 65 on May 21 in Los Angeles.

The report gathered information from five sources that knew about Irsay’s alleged relapses. All five sources said they saw Irsay allegedly take opioid pills, while four said they saw the owner allegedly take injections of ketamine.

According to the report, Irsay overdosed three times in the five years leading to his death. The first time happened in February 2020 in Turks and Caicos, where the report says he was taken in an air ambulance off the island.

The second time came in December 2023, the report says. Irsay suffered another overdose less than two weeks later, the report added.

Irsay’s daughters and Colts co-owners Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson and Carlie Irsay-Gordon, declined an interview request from The Post, but wrote a statement regarding their father’s health.

“Our Dad was open about his battles with addiction and mental health,” they wrote. “He never claimed to be perfect. The media is not the place to address inquiries about information, which is disputed, lacks essential context, or involves private medical matters.”

Irsay became the youngest team owner in the NFL in 1997, taking over the Colts from his father, Robert Irsay, who passed away that same year. Before then, he was the vice president and general manager of the team since 1984, where he remained until becoming owner.

Under Irsay, the Colts won Super XLI in 2007 by defeating the Chicago Bears.

The Indianapolis Colts have locked up one of their most important players for years to come.

Left tackle Bernhard Raimann, a former tight end at Central Michigan who has blossomed into one of the team’s most indispensable players, signed a contract extension, the team announced Tuesday.

The extension is for four years and is worth $100 million, a team source confirmed.

The 2022 third-round draft pick was entering the final year of his rookie contract, but the extension keeps him off the market next spring. He has shown dramatic improvement in each year of his career and last season took a leap that demonstrated he could man the critical position for the foreseeable future.

The Colts think Raimann still has more room for growth. He has played at offensive tackle only since his junior year in college, during the COVID-shortened 2020 season (six games).

“Bernhard has worked extremely hard, and this contract extension is a testament to his character, dedication and persistence,” general manager Chris Ballard said in a statement. “He exemplifies each of our team’s four pillars and is a leader in our locker room. I’m excited for him and his family on this well-deserved contract extension.”

The Austrian-born Raimann came to the United States as an exchange student in his junior year of high school, but he had already been introduced to football in his home country. That led to his quick ascension and an opportunity to play in college.

But despite his quick development with the Colts, there was some doubt about whether this deal might get done.

As recently as last week, Raimann suggested during an interview with Indianapolis radio station 107.5-FM that the respective sides were far apart in negotiations.

“From my understanding, they’re not on the same page,” he said. “From my understanding, it’s that the numbers don’t quite add up yet, the way [the Colts] value my position differently than my [agents] think it is. But we’re working on it.”

Keeping Raimann in place was important for the Colts because of the revamping of their offensive line. Free agency departures of four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries, who both joined the Minnesota Vikings, heightened the importance of getting this deal done.

In March 2023, kicker Matt Gay signed a four-year, $22.5 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. At the time, he was one year removed from a spectacular 2021 season, where he converted 32 of 34 field goal attempts and 48 of 49 points after touchdown, going on to win the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. Gay’s deal was the largest ever signed by a free agent kicker.

Now, just halfway through his deal, the Colts have released him.

In his two years with Indianapolis, the veteran kicker converted just 82.1% of his field goal attempts, struggling especially beyond the 50-yard range. Gay hit seven of 13 50-yarders in 2023 and three of nine in 2024, finishing his Colts tenure with a 50% conversion rate.

Gay, 31, was reportedly dealing with a groin injury, which likely factored into his lack of success.

The release leaves Indianapolis with just one kicker on their roster – Spencer Shrader, who entered the NFL last year as an undrafted free agent. Shrader has made five of five field goal attempts in his career.

While the Colts now have a significant hole at kicker, the NFL Draft is just a couple of weeks away. Don’t be surprised if they use the Draft to secure a kicker that they believe can fill their franchise slot.

2024 was an eventful year for quarterback Daniel Jones. He returned from a torn ACL, went 2-8 for the New York Giants, was benched, and then was released by request. Following a stint on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, Jones is now signing a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, where he’ll back up Anthony Richardson. Or will he?

It was only two years ago that Jones led a Giants team to a playoff berth and then a round one upset over the Vikings. In 2022, he threw for 3,205 yards and 15 touchdowns with five interceptions, posting a passer rating of 92.5. While those stats took a nosedive in the 2023 season even before his injury, with just two touchdowns and six interceptions in six games, the Colts will be looking to maximize Jones’ proven upside.

As far as the quarterback room Jones will be joining, Richardson didn’t have the most productive 2024. His completion percentage was just 47.7%, a little lower than his career completion percentage of 50.6%. He’s shown moments of dazzling athletic upside, and he’s only played 15 games in the NFL so far. Still, Richardson’s eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions weren’t the bright spot of this Colts team (which finished only a couple wins out of a playoff spot), to put it lightly.

Jones’ entrance helps set up what general manager Chris Ballard described as an “open competition” at the quarterback position. Ballard added that as Richardson “continues to progress in his young career, us adding competition, I think, will help up everybody’s game.”

Considering Richardson’s lack of experience, Jones will likely serve as a steadier backup as the Colts attempt to turn Richardson into a starting-caliber quarterback. Both have high demonstrated upsides. Unfortunately, as the past season has shown, both also have very low floors.

If the Colts hope to contend this year, they’ll be betting on a sudden change of pace from either quarterback – but Richardson, who’s five years younger, will almost certainly be getting more runway.

First-year coach Shane Steichen led the Indianapolis Colts to a 9-8 record in 2023 after they finished 4-12-1 the previous season. Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson played only two games since he suffered an AC joint injury in week five – Gardner Minshew started the remainder of the season, amassing a 6-6 record since. All-pro running back Johnathan Taylor battled injuries, playing ten games while rushing for 741 yards and scoring seven touchdowns pounding the rock. Though finishing 9-8, the Colts missed the postseason in the final week when the Houston Texans defeated them 23-19.

Indianapolis didn’t make flashy moves this offseason; however, they resigned key players, including Michael Pittman Jr., Zaire Franklin, Kenny Moore II, Grover Stewart and Tyquan Lewis. The Colts signed Joe Flacco as a backup quarterback since Minshew departed for the Las Vegas Raiders. Julian Blackmon was brought in to improve a shaky secondary. Deforest Buckner’s contract was renewed, as he signed for two years, worth $46 million.

The Colts selected UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu with the 15th pick. Latu provides Indy with efficient pressure skills and should slide in with edge rushers Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam. Receiver Adonai Mitchell was picked in round two since there was a demand for a receiver – Mitchell possesses elite route-running abilities and should blend well with Pittman and Josh Downs. Rounds three and four saw Indy address depth at the offensive line by selecting Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini, respectively.

Indianapolis’ 2024 schedule is one of the easiest with the 21st toughest in the NFL. 

This season’s schedule seems easy. However, the Colts need Richardson and JT to stay healthy, as they’re vital to their offense. Though Indy has good players, namely JT, Pittman and Quenton Nelson, Richardson hasn’t played an entire season. It all depends on the former Gator signal caller to rise to the occasion.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS SCHEDULE & TICKET DEALS

Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis was found dead in his home in Florida on Monday. According to the 911 caller, who was Davis’ personal assistant, he was found in the gym area of his house. Local police said no foul play is suggested, but the investigation of the cause is still ongoing.

“The NFL is heartbroken to hear about the passing of Vontae Davis. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones,” the NFL said in a statement.

The 35-year-old was a two-time Pro Bowler who played with the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills from 2009 to 2018. He most famously retired at halftime of a Bills game in Week 2 of the 2018 season, stating that he was done with football. Davis played 121 games, with 22 interceptions and 97 pass deflections, in his 10-year career.

“We are devastated to hear of Vontae Davis’s passing. He was a standout player in his six seasons with the Horseshoe, but he was an even better teammate who carried a smile and positive energy every day. He will be deeply missed, and we send our prayers to his family and loved ones,” the Colts organization said.

Davis played the majority of his career in Indianapolis from 2012 to 2017, where he won his two career Pro Bowl selections. In his six seasons with the Colts, Davis finished with 245 total tackles and 13 interceptions.

“Extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Vontae Davis,” Colts owner Jim Irsay said in a post on X. “A great guy, teammate, player. My prayers to Vontae’s family.”

Both the Dolphins and Bills also released statements mourning Davis’s loss, giving their condolences to his family and friends. The news of Davis’ death shocked the football world, and with a growing concern of CTE and football-related brain injuries issues like this seem to only arise more and more.

Tiresias McCall was the dean of students at Davis’ high school and co-wrote a book about his childhood called The Middle School Rules of Vontae Davis. The two reunited when Davis returned to his high school in 2018 to speak with students about growing up and his subsequent NFL career.

“He was an amazing, caring, passionate young man,” McCall said. “He spoke from his heart. He has a very infectious smile. He was full of energy, and the kids locked on to everything he said… He lived his time. He lived it to the fullest … and he blessed many, many people. He inspired many people,”

The cause of his death is still unknown, but Davis’ passing was a surprise to the entire NFL community. However, on and off the field, Davis made an impact that will not fade away anytime soon.

The NFL is reviewing four proposed rule changes submitted by teams ahead of the 2024 season. The proposed changes mainly pertain to special teams’ procedures and challenge limitations.

For any rule change to pass, the proposal must go to a vote by the NFL’s owners and receive 75% support. There is a review period, however, to clarify and prepare amendments.

The Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts both submitted proposals to amend the current challenge rules. Detroit is proposing to expand a team’s ability to challenge a third ruling. As it is now, teams may only get a third challenge if their first two are successful. The Lions want to change rule two that teams only need to succeed on one of two challenges.

The Colts, meanwhile, are making a more straightforward proposal and requesting that teams or officials gain the ability to challenge penalty calls inside of two minutes. The league currently doesn’t allow teams to challenge any foul call, even though this has led to several games being decided by controversial officiating decisions.

The Eagles submitted the other two rule proposals and both concern special teams. The first is one they have repeatedly suggested in recent years and is slowly beginning to find traction. Instead of an onside kick, Philadelphia wants to give kicking teams the opportunity to convert a 4th & 20 play from their own 25-yard line in order to keep possession.

This rule change has been suggested in many forms over the years and stems from a desire to change the current kickoff rules. A majority of NFL injuries occur during kickoffs, and the lack of success of onside kicks has also made it less popular. There have also been variations of this rule change in the past that have allowed teams to line up in this formation all the time and punt, eliminating the kickoff altogether.

The Eagles’ second proposed rule change is to eliminate the spot of “first touching” after the receiving team gains possession of the ball. Because a spot is established after a member of the kicking team touches the ball, the receiving team technically has a chance at a free run, after which they can accept the first spot regardless. The Eagles claim that this rule change would also improve player safety.

Free agent quarterback Joe Flacco signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts Wednesday that will include $4.5 million guaranteed. Flacco could end up as a capable veteran passer under center, but it’s clear that the team is bringing him in as a mentor for second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.

“I am really excited about going to Indy and working with their young guy,” Flacco said on The Pat McAfee Show Thursday.

After less than a half-season with the Jets in 2022, Flacco appeared to be on his way out of the league until the Browns came calling in dire need late in the 2023 season.

With starter Deshaun Watson struggling with multiple injuries, the team called on the longtime Ravens quarterback to take the reins. Flacco had a brief renaissance, throwing for 1,600 yards with 13 touchdowns and leading Cleveland to the postseason.

Even at age 39, Flacco’s performance for Cleveland ensured that he would stay in the league for at least one season. Indianapolis ended up signing the veteran. In addition to the guaranteed money, Flacco can also earn more than $4 million in incentives as well.

Though he could end up being the Colts’ starter, it is unlikely that Flacco will be the same emergency option he was for the Browns. The team is likely hoping that his experience proves more valuable than his ability. Indianapolis is trying to turn Richardson, a talented but raw athlete, into a franchise-defining player. Based on his brief rookie season, it’s easy to see the potential.

After just one season as a starter at the University of Florida, Richardson entered the 2023 NFL Draft with plenty of hype and concerns. At one point in the league’s history, he would have fallen in the draft. He was, and still is, considered a serious project, a player with endless potential but limited fundamentals.

In the Patrick Mahomes era, teams have been more willing to see the diamond in the coal, and the Colts took the 21-year-old with the fourth overall pick. Even more ambitious, the team named him the Week 1 starter.

In four games, Richardson seemed to affirm everything scouts said about him out of college, for better or worse. On the one hand, he proved to be a tremendous athlete, capable of effortlessly launching the ball downfield. He even showed some unexpected precision on anticipation throws. When he wasn’t throwing, he proved highly effective as a runner earning four rushing touchdowns to his three through the air.

On the other hand, Richardson demonstrated a clear inability to protect himself and tried to unnecessarily extend several plays. This led to three fumbles in a short span, but there were even worse consequences. He suffered a concussion in Week 2 and a joint sprain in Week 5, the latter of which ended his season before it could really begin.

Richardson spent the rest of the season on the bench behind Gardner Minshew, who competed well but ultimately failed to lead the Colts to the postseason. Several Colts coaches have claimed that the time off was good for Richardson, who has reportedly responded well to teaching efforts. Flacco will likely be expected to teach him further as Richardson steps back into the starting role.

Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive end T.J. Watt has cleared concussion protocol and will play in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. Watt had a frustrating week working through the league’s protocols after taking a knee to the head on Thursday Night Football against the Patriots last week.

“I got hit, went in the tent, got cleared, then came in the next day and had stuff going on,” Watt said Thursday. “So, as you guys saw, I went into the protocol. Yesterday got cleared from the protocol. Today I feel great.”

Watt claims to have gotten a positive update during his initial examination last week, he still needs to clear protocol because he exited the game. It is uncommon for players to be cleared in the span of a week, but the extra time and the minimal extent of Watt’s injury were likely factors in his quick return.

Watt is not the only Pittsburgh defender that the team has been waiting for updates on. Linebacker Alex Highsmith is still in concussion protocol himself and may not be available in time for Week 15. These injuries to Pittsburgh’s defense, which has been largely responsible for the team’s success this season, could harm its chances as the postseason approaches.

Despite an offensive collapse and subsequent overhaul earlier this season, the Steelers have been able to compete more often than not in 2023 and currently hold a 7-6 record. They would be in the playoffs if the regular season ended today. Through significant turmoil, Watt has led the defense and provided stability.

With four games remaining in the regular season, the team faces a tough schedule that includes the likes of the Ravens and Seahawks. Momentum is not on the Steelers’ side either, as they just dropped a game to New England last Thursday in a highly unexpected upset. Watt’s return is sure to help, however, and Highsmith’s status will be monitored closely up to Sunday.

In an interview released earlier this week, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay blamed his March 2014 arrest for driving while intoxicated on his status as a white billionaire. Irsay tested positive for several prescription drugs in a subsequent toxicology report but claimed to be sober at the time of his arrest.

“I am prejudiced against because I’m a rich, white billionaire,” Irsay said during the interview with HBO Sports. “If I’m just the average guy down the block, they’re not pulling me in, of course not.”

When Irsay was arrested in Carmel, an Indianapolis suburb, police officers reportedly found prescription drugs in his vehicle. He also tested positive for oxycodone and two other medications, which treat pain and anxiety. He pled guilty to driving while intoxicated in September 2014. When asked how he thought his accusations of prejudice would be received, Irsay doubled down on his comments.

“I don’t care what it sounds like,” Irsay said. “It’s the truth. … I could give a damn what people think how anything sounds or sounds like. The truth is the truth, and I know the truth.”

Irsay has spoken previously about his battle with addiction, which has plagued him for much of his adult life. But when asked about the arrest during the interview, he claimed that he failed the sobriety test because he was not coordinated following hip surgery.

“The arrest was wrong,” he said. “I had just had hip surgery and had been in the car for 45 minutes. And what — they asked me to walk the line? Are you kidding me? I can barely walk at all.”

The Carmel Police Department has claimed that Irsay failed a number of sobriety tests, from walking in a straight line to reciting the alphabet backward. Carmel Police Lt. D.J. Schoeff also released a statement to the Indianapolis Star in which he stood by his department’s conduct.

“We have a very professional agency consisting of officers that strive to protect our community with integrity and professionalism,” Schoeff wrote.