The Indianapolis Colts are running it back in 2026. Sure, some faces have departed and others have come along but for the most part, the crew from 2025 remains intact. The level of success was difficult to discern after starting off white hot and then turning ice cold down the stretch. That leaves a lot of mystery surrounding this team in 2026. Because of that, are the Colts more likely to capture their first division crown in the Chris Ballard era or wind up in the AFC South basement?
Let’s take
this time to focus on why the Colts could win the AFC South. What used to be an afterthought in the Manning years has become incredibly elusive. This could very well be the year the curse is broken because who really stands out in the division? If you start taking stock of Super Bowl contenders, are you honestly throwing Houston or Jacksonville into the mix? Both teams had good seasons and made the playoffs. This is no knock on them, but neither one is a lock to run away with it. Both have had to turn on the jets in recent seasons to make the playoffs and that margin of error gives the Colts an opening. Stroud is baffling, and I wouldn’t trust the Jaguars for anything.
Now, let’s look inwards. The Colts had the best record in the league for the better part of the year. Yes, the level of competition wasn’t always the best, but there are components to work with. This takes an assumption, but with a healthy Buckner, Ward, and Gardner returning and Latu making another leap, the defense could be improved. Throw in some rookie impacts with Allen and Haulcy, and who knows. If he comes back strong, there is continuity at the quarterback position with Jones hitting a vastly improved Pierce all over the field. Leaps from Downs and Warren along with a steady level of production from Taylor could make things interesting on the offensive side of the ball as well.
Winning a division isn’t easy. That has become painfully obvious over the last decade. The Colts might not be as far away as one might think after last year’s meltdown, however. They are returning a solid core that was impacted by injuries at some of the most crucial positions. Stay healthy and this division is ripe for the picking. Houston and Jacksonville will have something to say about it, but they have their own issues. The Colts have a reason to believe in 2026.
