It was one of the more intriguing but not always talked about battles in camp. It went back and forth and dipped into last season’s production to make the call. One showed a lot of promise, the other perfection. That was last year, and this is now. The race was neck and neck, but only one kicker could make the 53-man roster. The Indianapolis Colts put any remaining speculation to bed as they made their choice at kicker by choosing Spencer Shrader over Blake Grupe.
Why did they choose Shrader over
Grupe? That’s one question. The other? Was it the right decision? Time will tell for the second question with hindsight being 20/20. For the why, while we don’t have all the details, the proof was in the pudding. When the lights turned on, one man showed up while the other went quiet. Grupe was a star in practice, but practice kicks don’t win games. He struggled close and at distance. Even one that went in needed the crossbar’s help.
Meanwhile, Shrader demonstrated the ice water in his veins. He added the one piece that was missing from his game; the long ball. His leg didn’t have the necessary strength in 2025. He could convert, but the Colts had to get him closer than they would like. Having a kicker who can trot out and make 60+ yard field goals at a consistent rate is huge. It could be the difference between the playoffs and sitting at home. That’s the confidence the Colts needed. They found it in Shrader.
Either man probably would have done well. Blake Grupe’s yips might not have translated over to the regular season. Then again, they might have. Shrader was the kicker before his injury. He cleaned up the deficiencies in his game and demonstrated his ability on the field. That seems like more than enough reason to feel the Colts got it right.
