3 Strengths/Weaknesses for Colts' Offense Going into 2023

The Indianapolis Colts have a clean slate going into the 2023 season, which means some strengths and weaknesses will be on display.

Drake Wally | Jun 24, 2023

In this story:

Indianapolis Colts

A breath of fresh air is cascading through the lungs of the Indianapolis Colts franchise approaching the 2023 season. There has been a multitude of changes that have affected everything from the coaching staff to the roster.

With so much that's new and rejuvenated in Indianapolis, there will be good and bad, ups and downs, strengths and weaknesses. The last will be what's covered in this piece.

Going into a clear atmosphere and the beginning of the Shane Steichen-Anthony Richardson era, here are three strengths and weaknesses the Colts' offense could potentially have going into the 2023 campaign.

Strength #1: The Ground Attack

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts have had one of the higher-potential and potent rushing attacks since 2019, mostly due to a brutalizing offensive line that would open gaps and lanes for various running backs.

As recently as 2021, running back Jonathan Taylor feasted on defenses due to power blocks that drove defensive fronts backward. Taylor indeed is one of the best backs in the NFL, but his talent mixed with such high-level blocking was an explosive recipe. This led to Taylor leading the NFL in categories such as rushing yards and touchdowns.

Going into 2023, the Colts have the ever-athletic quarterback Richardson to throw into the fray. Also, Steichen's running plays are potent and have variety, usually featuring a committee backfield. Taylor will still dominate the carries, but he won't have to shoulder the entire ground game.

It remains to be seen how the offensive line will perform with the run game. However, with Richardson in the mix, defenses will have to respect the mobility of the QB. This wasn't the case last season. If Taylor was in, it was likely a carry coming or a short/quick pass. This allowed defenses to box up and send linebackers into the running zones, even blitzing to fill gaps.

Richardson can help both Taylor and the offensive line get back to something similar to 2021 if it all works out.

Look for the Colts to elevate their 2022 down season with Richardson under center and a new philosophy behind running the ball.

Strength #2: The Deep Passing Game

Richardson's arm strength isn't anything that isn't well known at this point. It's something he won't struggle with at the professional level.

Also, Steichen's mentality of vertical shots to devastate defenses fits well with Richardson's current strength, which is the deep passing and taking the tops off of secondaries.

This is why the Colts won't struggle to throw the deep ball.

Last season, weapons like Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, both of whom can attack defenses deep, were sparingly used in that regard. Whether it was mundane playcalling or the lack of ability to push the ball downfield from the quarterbacks, it made it easier to hone in on what Indy was doing.

Pierce is more of a vertical threat than Pittman, but they both can make defenses pay down the field. With the attitude that's being instilled to attack defenses with downfield shots, it's going to be a bounce-back year in the case of explosive pass plays for Indianapolis.

Strength #3: The Playcalling Will be Diverse/Aggressive

One thing Steichen's offense won't lack is creativity and aggression. The second word is in the pursuit of big plays and ways to throw off opposing defenses. To go back to the previously mentioned mundane nature of the 2022 Colts offense, it is one of the biggest reasons that former QB Matt Ryan couldn't get into a rhythm. Yes, there were other factors, but defenses knew that Ryan was playing conservative ball more often than not.

This won't be something that will plague either Richardson or Gardner Minshew in 2023.

Steichen will bring a varied playcalling list that won't be predictable. He will likely tailor this playbook to Richardson's strengths, allowing him to become more comfortable and quicker. He also won't have a scripted game plan that consists of holding a lead to not lose it. Instead, the offense will pursue big plays to hit a defense early in the game, resulting in a punishing ground attack to finish off opponents in the later quarters.

This isn't always going to be the case, but it's how the 2022 Philadelphia Eagles often operated. Early, big plays with deep shots and play action. Late, grind the opposing defense to a nub with an efficient running game.

Look for Steichen to have similar plans for his new squad's offense in 2023.

Weakness #1: The Short/Intermediate Passing Game

Now, it's time to dissect the weaknesses that the Colts' offense could show in the new era.

Now, I must state that these are liable to change. However, as we speak, this could be an area of the offense where the Colts struggle in the passing game.

It's too obvious to mention Richardson. However, to make it brief, it's the short/quick and intermediate areas of passing where he struggles. These are the areas of the field where accuracy may be more important than anything else.

It's what Richardson is in the development to work out and smooth up the edges for. As of now, it's a weakness.

As for Minshew, he's a veteran with proven reliability. But, he's also been a backup in recent seasons and isn't the long-term solution at quarterback for the Colts. With a new team and not the same firepower he had as an Eagle, he might struggle in the same regard, albeit while having different traits as a passer than Richardson.

Weakness #2: Experience

The Colts boast veterans like defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, offensive linemen Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly, and linebackers Shaquille Leonard and Zaire Franklin, but outside of those names and some others, there's a lot of very young talent on the roster. Twelve of those names are rookies who were taken in the 2023 NFL Draft.

As for both sides of the ball, it's one of the youngest squads in the league. Only two players are 30 or older, and they're both on the dot (center Kelly and long-snapper Luke Rhodes). This shows the youth movement is in full effect for the Colts, but it doesn't stop with the players.

The coaching staff, along with the headman Steichen, are on the younger side and coming into a new city. Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter is 38 years old with ties to the Colts (offensive assistant from 2009-2011) and offensive coordinating experience (Detroit Lions 2015-2018). QB coach Cam Turner is 35 years old with experience in his current position through his career with the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. Despite the years they've both been in the league, there are still more experienced coaches that will be in opposition.

I believe the youth is more of a factor for the players than coaches, but both ends are on the younger, less experienced side. For now, this is a weakness. But, it could change drastically once the rapport connects from all standpoints.

Weakness #3: The Offensive Line

Until proven otherwise, the Colts' offensive line will be considered a weak link.

While it's true that Matt Pryor and Danny Pinter did the protection no favors with their inefficient blocking, it's also a fact that nobody seemed to be consistent on the offensive line last season.

Right tackle Braden Smith and left tackle Bernhard Raimann showed more consistency than the others, with left guard Quenton Nelson also coming close to the aforementioned duo, but having an overall slump of a season by his standards. However, center Kelly and the rotation at right guard didn't play well and allowed too much disruption to the offensive approach last season.

The group did finish the year getting better as the weeks passed but didn't play like the money they're costing the Colts franchise.

Can there be a resurgence for the protection in Indianapolis? There will be a chip on all of the O-line's shoulders going into the 2023 season with all eyes on if they can make a comeback possible.

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Published Jun 24, 2023

DRAKE WALLY

Drake Wally covers the Indianapolis Colts at Horseshoe Huddle and co-hosts the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast.