Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Indianapolis Colts QB DISASTER with Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson & Free Agent Spending Finally

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Indianapolis Colts have been competitive for a few years, but in 2025, I think the bottom finally falls out. I'll break it down on today's edition of Locked On Titans. podcast part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome to the Locked On Titans podcast. I am your host, Tyler Rowland, Titans fans. Today's edition of the Locked On Titans podcast is brought to you by Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, use the code locked on NFL for $20 off your first purchase on today's show, we are going to cap off division rival week. We are going to do our third division rival deep dive.

Starting point is 00:00:53 We've talked about the Jags. We've talked about the Texans. Now we're going to talk about the Indianapolis Colts. And I'm going to tell you why I think they totally fall apart this season. At the beginning of the week, which felt like forever ago, at this point, we ranked all of the different positions within the division, who has the best quarterback,

Starting point is 00:01:12 the best wide receivers, the best O-line, the best defense. We talked about all of it. So if you missed any of this content, it is evergreen throughout the entire summer. Make sure that you check it out. Speaking of that, thank you for making Locked on Titans, your first listen each and every day, Monday through Friday, Tennessee Titans content all year round, always for free.

Starting point is 00:01:31 Make sure you get subscribed, stay subscribed. It's your team every day. Speaking of every day, shout out to my everydayers out there. Tune in Monday through Friday. Couldn't do it without you guys. If you aren't an everydayer, you need to be one. Because again, it may be the off season for the Titans, but there is no off season for locked on Titans. I'm going to have content about your favorite team every single day, five days a week,

Starting point is 00:01:52 forever. All right. But with that being said, the Indianapolis Colts, what's crazy to me is the Colts finally made some bigger moves. The Colts finally did the things that their fan base has been begging them to do for quite some time. They finally did it. They go out there and they put money in the secondary. The Colts secondary, their cornerback position was absolutely abysmal in 2025 or in 2024 coming in on paper. It was a little bit better honestly than what most people expected just a little bit better But even such they still go out and spend resources on the secondary They bring in charvarius ward at corner one of the most underrated players in the NFL

Starting point is 00:02:37 They take cam bynum away from the Minnesota Vikings funny how those two teams switch some parts Which we'll talk about they put cam bynum at safety with a free agent deal. They go change their defensive coordinator. They bring in Luan Arumo from the Cincinnati Bengals. And listen, I know that you could say the Bengals defense. Why would you want the coordinator from that? But they had some awesome defensive performances when they were making their good runs a couple of years ago.

Starting point is 00:03:02 I think the talent on the Bengals defense is what completely fell off a cliff, not the coaching. So I think Luan Arumo is still a good coach. Now here's what I would say though. Is Luan Arumo a massive upgrade that's going to change the ceiling of the Colts? I personally can't go that far. Like I think Lou Anne Arumot is a good defensive coordinator. I don't think he's a franchise changing defensive coordinator. He's going to totally change. Like you could put Gus Bradley back as the defensive coordinator for the Colts. And I don't think it would change much about what I'm saying right now.

Starting point is 00:03:39 Maybe that's naive and I should give Lou Anne Arumot some more credit, but I'm sorry. That's just where I'm at. But nonetheless, making changes. And then of course, they add Daniel Jones. Anthony Richardson, we're talking about what the biggest question, what's the biggest question for the Colts? If the Jags was, what are they going to get out of Trevor Lawrence? If the Texans was, you know, are the offensive changes going to help CJ Stroud? Then the Colts biggest question is, are they going to have any good quarterback play out of the two guys that they had?

Starting point is 00:04:17 Because my answer, quite honestly, is no. I think Anthony Richardson is done. I think it's over for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis. So at minimum, bringing in Daniel Jones was a smart move. If you're the Colts, you think you have a pretty good roster. You've been competitive the last few years, which would lead you to believe you have a competitive roster. You've seen Garner mint you, miss a wide open swing pass that would have put you in the playoffs two years ago.

Starting point is 00:04:45 You saw Anthony Richardson completely fold last year, physically and mentally. If you're looking at your team, you're like, man, Shane Stiken's not a terrible coach. We have talent on this roster. We just need better, more consistent quarterback play. So I love going out and getting Daniel Jones just to have something in there. He can run similar stuff to Anthony. He's not as good of an athlete as Anthony Richardson, but I mean he can run similar stuff quarterback run game, the RPO game, read option stuff. Like

Starting point is 00:05:18 he can do that. Daniel Jones is athletic enough to do that. We've seen him do it, Jones is athletic enough to do that. We've seen him do it. But is it gonna matter? You know, that's my question. So I get why they did it. I understand what their philosophy is, but I don't know. I just don't know. They add Khalil Herbert to the running back group. I think they have a really good running back group led by Jonathan Taylor. Pretty solid. In the draft. They bring in Tyler Warren, which I think outside of cam ward could be the best draft. Like if, if Travis Hunter gets off to a slow start because he's learning how to be a wide receiver officially at the NFL level, that's difficult. And if Travis Hunter is coming along slow at wide receiver and he's playing cornerback, he might not make the impact immediately

Starting point is 00:06:06 that a guy like Tyler Warren will make. Tyler Warren, like again, the Colts finally did everything their fans have been asking for. They spent money in the secondary. They got big name free agents. They added the legitimate competition for Anthony Richardson. They changed their defensive coordinator. They drafted a tight end like the Colts did everything their fans have been begging for. I don't mind their draft honestly. JT Tula Malawel they had from Ohio State in the second round. DJ Giddens a running back that they added I like in the mid rounds. Like it's okay, it's okay, but they lost some pieces too that I think will really hurt them and that's ultimately two that I think will really hurt them and that's ultimately where I think I come to my opinion on who the cults are gonna be. They lose. Will Fries. Will

Starting point is 00:06:52 Freeze. I've seen it pronounced so many different ways. Pronunciation is my least favorite thing about the job. I can never find the true pronunciation of anybody's name. It's ridiculous. Will Fries. I want it to be Fries. I'm a little name. It's ridiculous. Will fries? I want it to be fries. I'm a little hungry. It's about to be dinner time. Why not? They lose Ryan Kelly, who has been the pivot in the middle of their offensive line for quite some time now. I know he's had health issues, but and honestly, well, they lost Diode Dango, who had turned into a pretty good player from their pass rush group, goes over to Chicago. They lose EJ Speed, that linebacker group has bled talent for a while now. And I think more importantly than anything, the biggest loss of the all season for Colts is any hope for Anthony Richardson. Because not only did he quit on the team last year, take himself out.

Starting point is 00:07:45 Not only did he play up and down and have awful moments, not only did he get her again last year, but the shoulder that Harold Landry injured his rookie season, it flared up and there's a problem with it again. And now he missed mandatory mini camp and he's probably going to miss the beginning of training camp. And in my opinion, Daniel Jones is going to be their starter. And if Daniel Jones wins the battle over Anthony Richardson, all hope for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis is officially lost. I thought it was already that way last year, but if he loses the competition that Daniel Jones,

Starting point is 00:08:22 Anthony Richardson is done in Indianapolis. So they finally went out and made the additions that all of their fans have been asking for for years, spent money in free agency, they get the big tight end and in the draft, they get real competition, but all the while, their top five pick, their hope at quarterback officially does. Like the hope is gone. So it's a bittersweet off season for the Colts. And honestly, I don't think that the season, their bittersweet off season, I don't think the regular season is going to get any better.

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Starting point is 00:10:39 My favorite part of every deep dive episode. Get to have the crossover segment with another great host from the Locked On Podcast Network. We got Jake Arthur here from Locked On Colts, a pro football writer of America. This guy is the real deal folks and even if you're not a Colts fan, if you're a Titans fan, you want to know as much as possible about your division rivals. Jake is absolutely a priority follow on social media but with that that being said, enough glazing here, Jake. We're going to get you in the hot seat for the tough questions. Right now, just blank canvas. What are your thoughts on what the Colts have done through the offseason so far?

Starting point is 00:11:20 Yeah. So I think overall they've had a pretty good off season. I think Chris Ballard does a decent job of keeping the water level relatively high and making them capable of treading water, but the biggest X factor is always quarterback. So right now I think if they were going into it just solely relying on Anthony Richardson, I would think that would be super risky. There's probably not a ton they could have done at quarterback outside of Daniel Jones. Like, I don't totally hate the move. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:11:54 We saw, you know, in 2023, a Gardner-Menschew led team had them knocking on the door of the playoffs. They were a missed fourth down away from winning the AFC South. So I do think Daniel Jones is at least a slight upgrade over that. And we've never really seen him in the setting he's about to be in. So it's kind of hopeful thinking, you know, wishful thinking on that front, if he is to win the job. But you know, new defensive coordinator, football people seem to really respect Lou Anna Rummo much more than fans kind of see how the Bengals ranked over time and everything. Uh, so I'm, I'm pretty optimistic about that.

Starting point is 00:12:34 You know, you add Charvarius Ward and Cameron Bynum, some like legitimate starting pieces to a secondary. Uh, and it seems like things should be better, but again, everything circles back to quarterback. That's funny that you mentioned the two defensive back signings there at the end. And I, in the first segment of the show, I go over all of the moves. So Titans fans know exactly what has happened. And it's funny to me that it seems like the Colts this year, they kind of did what people have wanted them to do the last few.

Starting point is 00:12:58 Like they actually spent a little money on free agents that need positions. And you know, still though, it's like the quarterback positions matters the most. You could say Daniel Jones. That's fine. That wouldn't be a bad answer, but what has in your mind been the best acquisition or the best change that they've made throughout this off season? Uh, well, I'll say, I guess I'll give you one on each side of the ball. So I think Lou in a room, I'm really optimistic about that. Um, Gus Bradley's defense had just become so static, so stale, so predictable.

Starting point is 00:13:29 And even with some really good players, I mean, you guys have seen DeForest Buckner has been around since 2020. They've had some good players and the thing just crumbled. But Lou Anna Rummo is known for mixing it up being multiple, challenging even the best quarterbacks in the NFL. So I really lik on the offensive side of I think opens up a lot of

Starting point is 00:13:51 have had their tight end piecemeal since Jack Doyle often had to rely on two a game just to perform th an offense from what the tight end position is supposed to do. Well, now they've got one guy that's able to do all that. So you do have these specialized guys like Will Mallory, who is really only a pass catcher, can't really block. You can kind of use him now because you already have someone else who can

Starting point is 00:14:20 block and you know, this guy can block well on the move like Jack Doyle was able to do. I can obviously catch and make plays after the catch you know pick up extra yards so I think Warren kind of provides a lot of hidden value that you don't necessarily think of right off the bat just him alone plus Shane Steichen's offenses before he got to the Colts. Part of what made them so good was his ability to use a tight end and now he finally has one in year three. So we'll see if Shane is able to get in his bag a little bit like this is really the most complete

Starting point is 00:14:55 offense Shane's had in his time. So it's kind of now or never. Like he's either gonna be the real deal or not. We're gonna see really firmly one way or another where they should probably go after this year. That's funny. Tyler Warren is another one of those like everybody is always given a tight end to the Colts in the draft like every year that's and now they finally did it. It's like they finally did all these things. I got to ask you this. I mean, maybe we buried the lead a little bit. Well, we got a little bit of

Starting point is 00:15:22 talk about at the beginning. In your opinion, do you think that now with Anthony Richardson's injury, and I saw what you had to say, we talked about it on locked on NFL, like, you know, he could be ready for training camp at the starter, it could be a little bit in there. Do you think regardless the time that he's missed now, if he misses a little bit in the training camp, do you think there's any way that he can come back and overtake Daniel Jones? And do you think maybe the organization just wanting to kind of get a look at somebody else?

Starting point is 00:15:50 Do you think Anthony Richardson can be the starter week one or you where I'm at, I'll tell you. And I think it's going to be Daniel Jones. Well, yeah, I think it's still possible because he's not new to this team. So outside of really like Tyler Warren, he's familiar with everybody. He's been working with the vast majority of these guys for a couple of years now. So as far as that goes, I think he could still do it. But I mean, I've every practice that's been open to the media so far through OTAs and mini camp I've seen and Daniel Jones has been pretty good. I mean, he's been consistent. Looks like he's got pretty good grasp of the offense,

Starting point is 00:16:27 getting the ball out quickly, spreading it around. He had like seven different receivers throughout all of his 11 on 11 reps. So he looks fine. Like he doesn't look like he's gonna be like awesome. Like I wouldn't have the same optimism as a Titans fan should have with like cam ward. All right. But you just need someone who can operate the offense at a baseline adequate level.

Starting point is 00:16:50 Like that's kind of all you're looking for. Like the high highs are so awesome. Like it's great to see those and celebrate them. But at the end of the day, you just want a functional offense that can sustain a eight nine play drive consistently. And it kind of looks like Jones should be able to do that. And, you know, I think the Colts would be willing to use his athleticism. It's he's not an Anthony Richardson level athlete, but right guy can get

Starting point is 00:17:15 out there and move a little bit. So I do think Anthony can still win the battle, but I think he's got to look awesome in training camp to do it. Yeah. He's got to make up some ground in my opinion, but I will say, I like the move of Daniel Jones because like at least, at least he's won a playoff game before he can get you out of, or get you into trouble with the way that he plays sometimes.

Starting point is 00:17:40 But if you have a good roster around him, he's shown like, he's not going to be an elite quarterback, but he's good enough. You know what I mean? Get it done the best version of himself. So I figure that's that's worth a look for the courts. What other options good options did they have? There weren't a lot. So I'm with it there to kind of, you know, don't want to be overly pessimistic, even though it is in my nature. So what's your big concerns or if there's just one, what is the big concern right now?

Starting point is 00:18:05 Where you look at the team and you're like, if things go bad this year, it's because this. It's gotta be the quarterback position because I do think the roster altogether. If you plopped a really good quarterback in there, I think it would be unquestionably a playoff roster. But if Anthony wins the job, you have to worry about injuries because this shoulder is a reoccurrence of the one that knocked him out of his rookie year. Even if it wasn't- Harold's injury tackle actually.

Starting point is 00:18:35 Exactly. It's the Titans. The Titans it was. Yeah, so I mean, he's missed time with a concussion, shoulder, hip, back. Like he's not just got one thing that's nagging him. Like he's missed time with a lot of stuff. And then, so if he's not just got one thing that's nagging him like he's missed time with a lot of stuff and then so if he's not your starter you're you're losing a quarterback that can avoid sacks with the best of them is

Starting point is 00:18:54 You know Fireworks any given play, you know, and he's got the clutch gene like he can orchestrate a fourth quarter comeback Like he can do that. Nothing bothers him. With Daniel Jones, I mean, he's got some fumbling issues. If the offensive line isn't living up to its part, because they got two new starters in there, we think these guys are gonna be all right.

Starting point is 00:19:17 But like if the offensive line isn't pulling its weight, we've seen what Daniel Jones looks like in that instance. He's not a guy that's to avoid a ton of sacks. He can have some bad turnovers. And I think he's one of those quarterbacks where you can win with him, but you're not going to win because of him. So everything around him has to be going pretty well, um, for him to kind of be the straw that stirs the drink.

Starting point is 00:19:39 I think he could do it, but like, he's not going to pull your team to victory by any means. Yeah. They're going to have to be really good around him to create the environment needed to, you know, be a playoff team and be a team that can maybe win a playoff game. I, we could have a discussion about what their ceiling is. Ultimately, that's about as far as I could go. Either way, it'll be interesting to see how things shake out because you do, you know, they do have good things on the roster, but if I wanted to spend the narrative,

Starting point is 00:20:06 you know, the O line, the replacement, will the pass rush take the step forward, you know, free agent moves, do they actually work out all of that? It'll just be interesting to see. Cause I think the Colts, it could go really bad, but I think they could also be a playoff team as well. Things go right. So that makes them an interesting team to watch. Jake, thanks so much for coming on guys.

Starting point is 00:20:23 Of course you could find Jake at Jake Arthur NFL on Twitter, locked on Colts doing great work. Make sure that you, you gotta know your friends, where you gotta know thy enemies even more, right? Anyway, we're gonna keep talking about the Colts here. I'm gonna give you my prediction for what I think the Colts will do this season. Today's episode is brought to you by Game Time. Have you ever decided at the last minute to head to a ball game with friends or family?

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Starting point is 00:21:51 Last-minute tickets, lowest price. Guaranteed. Titans fans, let's cap off today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. We have talked about the moves that the Indianapolis Colts have made, the losses they've taken, the additions they've had. We have talked about all of the different storylines with the Colts, with my guy Jake Arthur from Locked On Colts who stopped by the show. But now, now I got to get into my prediction for the Indianapolis Colts. And I spoiled it a little bit. I will say there's a little bit of a spoiler on day one of this week, or day two of this week,

Starting point is 00:22:40 when I power ranked the teams in the division. And I had the Colts at number four. I think the Colts finished last in the division this year. I have the Indianapolis Colts going five and 12. Now I'm going to tell you why before I do though do want to thank you for making Locked on Titans your first listen for your second listen. Check out Locked on NFL Scouting. Training camps getting closer and moves are still being made. host Kyle Krabs and Joe Marino make you the most informed NFL fan This offseason find locked on NFL scouting on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. I have the Colts going 5 and 12 I don't think they're gonna be good. I think things are gonna start to come crashing down. Look one of the reasons that people have optimism in the Indianapolis Colts is

Starting point is 00:23:23 Because is in the Indianapolis Colts is because, is because the roster is good. So despite the quarterback not being very good and all of us acknowledging that the quarterback position for the Colts is not very good, the rest of the roster being strong makes everyone think, Hey, the Colts are going to be a good team, but let me just say this. Yes, they have a good group of wide receivers. Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. isn't a true number one though, he's a number two wide receiver who's playing a number one wide receiver role.

Starting point is 00:23:51 Alec Pearce, solid depth player, good fringe starter, deep threat, big body, Josh Downs, very good slot. Adonai Mitchell needs to take a step forward and become a true number one wide receiver for them in my opinion for them to be satisfied. That's a good group. That's a really good group. It's not great though. Okay. And I don't think it's a group that's going to elevate a quarterback. They don't have anybody on the team who's like, oh yeah, they're

Starting point is 00:24:18 elevating the quarterback and Michael Pittman juniors having back issues. Is that going to be resolved? Is it going to pop back up on him like, but then we go to the offensive line. Okay. Bernard Raymond, good player. Quentin Nelson, greatness. Okay. But getting older. Tanner Bornellini, Bortellini, is now replacing Ryan Kelly. In theory, that should work. I was high on Tanner Bordellini as a late round pick in 2024. Went in the fourth round. They're moving Matt Gonclaves, Goncalves, however you want to say it, to the right guard position vacated by Will Friesen.

Starting point is 00:25:01 That is where I think things could get spooky. It's not just one spot. Now you're replacing a guy who's been your primary center for years and a group that's had a ton, a ton, a ton, a ton, a ton, a ton of continuity. They've had a ton of continuity. Well, now you're changing out two key pieces on the interior. Quentinen Nelson's getting a little bit older. I think he should age gracefully, but still nonetheless. I don't think the weapons, I think Tyler Warren might be able to do this, but I don't think the wide receivers are elevating the quarterback, and you have Daniel Jones.

Starting point is 00:25:39 So if the offensive line starts to slip even a little bit, and Daniel Jones isn't significantly better than healthy, regular Anthony Richardson. And then you go over the defense. Look, they have a lot of depth on the D-line with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart and Neville Gallimore and Adib Al-aware. They have depth in the edge group with Quiddie Pay and JT Tula, Lua, and uh Lua and uh Samson Epcom and uh Taekwon Lewis and you know like, yeah, okay. But none of those players are excellent. None of those players are awesome. Maybe Lau takes a jump forward, but Quidipay has not turned into what they hoped he would be.

Starting point is 00:26:28 JTT, you know, I'm a Buckeye. I don't think that he is a number one rusher. He's a number two rusher, a solid one I think he could be. But, you know, if they just have a bunch of number two, number three rushers, is that going to be enough? They've lost a lot of talent at linebacker. number two, number three rushers, is that going to be enough? They've lost a lot of talent at linebacker. Zaire Franklin, great player, but EJ Speed's gone. Obviously, we know Shaquille Leonard has been gone for a while and dropped. Their linebacker play, their depth at linebacker is not good. Secondary looks better. Shiverious Ward, Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Kenny Moore is a really good slot player.

Starting point is 00:27:07 Like they're better in the secondary, but I think linebacker, pass rush, offensive line, quarterback, are all places that I'm not certain are very good. So, whereas the Colts had been a consistent competitive team, regardless of their quarterback play, whether it's Philip Rivers or it's Carson Wentz or it's Matt Ryan or it's Gardner Mintchew, they've been a, or it's Joe Flacco, they've been a consistent competitive team because the roster is good. I think the roster has taken some steps back from what the roster was a couple of years ago and that combined with the quarterback play will result in the Colts finally having a terrible season. And of course they would do it in a year where I think it'll be a pretty good

Starting point is 00:27:48 quarterback group but nonetheless that's what I see from the Colts let me know what you think is going to happen with the Colts really appreciate all you guys hanging with me here and enjoying division rivalry week I really enjoyed it something I like to do every single year to get a good idea of where the Titans division rivals are at let me know how you felt about it down below in the comments or in the reviews on Apple iTunes. I hope you would throw a five star review in there because I mean it's summertime and I'm not slowing down five days a week. Next week another one of my favorites. It's top three week. We're gonna have so many good discussions can't wait to dive into it but as always

Starting point is 00:28:20 I am your host Tyler Rowland and this was Locked on Titans.

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Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Indianapolis Colts QB DISASTER with Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson & Free Agent Spending Finally

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