Colts Wrap Up Minicamp with Momentum and Questions as Training Camp Looms
As the Indianapolis Colts officially closed out their mandatory minicamp this week, there’s a mix of optimism, curiosity, and that typical offseason caution in the air. With just a few weeks separating now and the start of training camp on July 22, fans are left digesting what all went down on the practice fields between Tuesday and Thursday.
Now, let’s not get carried away. It’s June. No pads. No tackling. Just helmets, shorts, and a heavy emphasis on fundamentals, play installs, and communication. But while no one’s winning games in minicamp, that doesn’t mean there weren’t plenty of noteworthy takeaways from the Colts' sessions. Some storylines are beginning to emerge, and certain players are already turning heads—even without the pads popping.
🔥 Rookie Corner Justin Walley Turning Heads
Let’s start with one of the biggest surprises of minicamp—rookie cornerback Justin Walley. The buzz around him has been electric. Whether it’s defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, head coach Shane Steichen, or veteran corner Charvarius Ward, the praise for Walley has been loud and consistent.
“He’s been doing a hell of a job,” said Steichen. “That’s a good get by Chris [Ballard] in the draft. He’s making a lot of plays out there.”
Walley has flashed all the traits the Colts were hoping for—blazing speed, tight man coverage, great ball skills, and an ultra-competitive nature. Sure, he’s still raw in areas, but his early impact shows the kind of upside that has the Colts’ secondary quietly feeling more confident.
🧠 Daniel Jones Shows Command and Confidence
While Anthony Richardson continues to recover, Daniel Jones got the lion’s share of reps under center—and he made the most of them.
Steichen sounded pleased, even a bit pumped about Jones’ showing: “He’s been doing a hell of a job. Really smart football player. Learned the offense very quickly. Making good decisions out there. Great command of the huddle, ultimate pro.”
Jones’ performance in minicamp isn’t going to decide the long-term quarterback debate—especially with no live pass rush or full-speed hits. But make no mistake, his experience (69 career starts) and ability to adapt quickly to the Colts’ playbook has given Indy a solid insurance policy while Richardson gets back to full strength.
👀 Tight End Tyler Warren Is as Advertised
Let’s talk about one of the Colts’ most exciting offensive pieces—tight end Tyler Warren. If you didn’t know his name before, it’s time to start paying attention.
Warren has been a safety blanket in the middle of the field, hauling in short and intermediate throws with poise and confidence. According to Jones, Warren’s presence and maturity are already showing: “You can see his feel, his instincts, his strength, just his ability to go up and catch the ball. I’ve really enjoyed working with him.”
What’s even more promising? His full skill set hasn’t even been unleashed yet. Once the pads come on in camp, look for Warren to showcase his run-blocking chops and overall versatility. This dude could be a matchup nightmare for defenses.
🔄 Defensive Rotation in Full Swing
One of the most fascinating developments from minicamp was the heavy mixing and matching on defense. Under new DC Lou Anarumo, Colts defenders were shifted across formations, trying out multiple roles and positions.
There are a couple reasons for that:
-
Anarumo is still learning his personnel—testing who fits where and who thrives in what situations.
-
His defense is built to be adaptable and opponent-specific. Expect week-to-week changes based on matchups.
That versatility is a big deal. It allows Anarumo to maximize his players’ talents and confuse opposing offenses with different looks. Colts fans should expect a more dynamic, flexible defensive scheme this season.
🧩 Linebacker Room Tested Early
Coming into OTAs and minicamp, linebacker was already one of the team’s biggest question marks. That concern only grew when Zaire Franklin (ankle surgery) and Jaylon Carlies (shoulder surgery) were sidelined during minicamp.
As a result, the Colts turned to a group of mostly unproven players—like Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, and Joe Bachie. Outside of Franklin, this is a green group. In fact, Carlies is the most experienced of the rest… with just 242 career defensive snaps.
Still, GM Chris Ballard remains high on this linebacker corps. He believes the system under Anarumo will ease the pressure off them by distributing responsibilities more evenly. But until live bullets fly in the regular season, this group will remain under the microscope.
🤔 So, What Does It All Mean?
Here’s the honest truth: Minicamp doesn’t decide the season. But it can offer early indicators of what’s working, who’s rising, and where the concerns lie.
-
Daniel Jones is proving he can hold down the fort.
-
Tyler Warren is building chemistry and catching eyes.
-
Justin Walley might be the surprise gem of the draft.
-
The defense is evolving fast under Anarumo’s leadership.
-
Linebacker depth? Still shaky.
Training camp will provide a more complete picture, especially when things get physical. But these three days gave us more than just coach-speak—it gave us real signs of how the Colts are shaping up in 2025.
🏈 Quick Highlights Recap
-
🧠 Jones learning curve: Shortened thanks to experience and reps.
-
💪 Warren’s mature prep: Making plays and earning trust.
-
🌀 Anarumo’s vision: Versatile defense that adapts fast.
-
🚨 Linebacker depth: Unproven but given plenty of reps.
-
🧲 Walley’s upside: Showing all the traits to become a Day 1 contributor.
Final Thoughts
Sure, it’s still early. But if these practices are any indication, the Colts have plenty to build on. They’ve got intriguing pieces on both sides of the ball, a clear direction on defense, and some emerging stars to watch.
Come July 22, when training camp kicks off, we’ll start to see the full picture. Until then, Colts Nation can feel cautiously optimistic—and definitely curious—about where this team is headed.
Login