JJ Stankevitz dives into the "soft launch" of the NFL's 2026 offseason with an explainer of what the franchise tag and transition tag are, how they can be used and who the Colts could look to tag ahead of free agency in a few weeks.

JJ Stankevitz is joined on this week's episode of The Colts Show by John Ziemann, who in 1976 was the leader of the Colt Marching Band and witnessed a small propeller plane crash into the upper deck of Memorial Stadium following a playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The pilot escaped with minor injuries and no fans were injured in the crash. This is the story of, yes, the time a plane crashed into the Colts' stadium.

On this week's episode of The Colts Show, JJ Stankevitz sits down with Colts offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. to break down offensive line play and coaching at the NFL level. Sparano starts by explaining common misconceptions of fans and media about evaluating offensive line play (0:44), then shares what it's like coaching All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and what makes him special (6:08). The conversation then dives into Sparano's coaching style and philosophy (16:01) before closing with a personal reflection on the lasting impact his late father, Tony Sparano Sr., and the importance of balancing coaching with fatherhood (27:55).

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Charles Arbuckle, who called several Colts games on the radio with Matt Taylor this season, to break down a position-by-position roadmap for the Colts' 2026 offseason. The guys start with a look back at the 2025 season (1:18) before looking at Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard and the QBs (5:22). JJ and Charles dig into the Colts' run game (14:49) and how Tyler Warren impacted the Colts' offense, including Josh Downs (19:21). They then look at the dilemma facing the Colts with Alec Pierce (25:39) and questions about the right side of the offensive line (28:19) before taking a look at the Colts' defense and special teams for the rest of the podcast (31:43).

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Hall of Fame Colts running back Edgerrin James for a conversation that begins with the Miami-Indiana national championship game and the growth of football in the Hoosier State (0:30). Edge also gives his perspective on what he's seen from Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson as Colts Owners (5:51) and his view of Jonathan Taylor, Daniel Jones and the 2025 Colts (9:34). Finally, Edge gets into why he's begun exploring getting into the football media space, including an appearance on FOX NFL Sunday this year (18:20).

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Colts Reporter Larra Overton to dive into a season recap. They begin by breaking down the Colts' struggles to win close games (2:00) and examine whether the team's 8-2 start through the first 10 games is something the Colts can realistically replicate (12:55). Later the duo discusses Daniel Jones' play before his injury, in context of the team's decision to sign Philip Rivers (28:00) before closing with a big-picture conversation about whether it makes sense to run it back with Jones and head coach Shane Steichen in 2026 (35:27).

The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue, who wrote an in-depth feature story on Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon in December, joins JJ Stankevitz for a deep dive into Irsay-Gordon's ownership style and how she is molding the Colts to be a different NFL franchise . Rodrigue explains her reaction to Irsay-Gordon's decision to retain general manager Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen and what the future holds for the Colts under Irsay-Gordon's leadership.

Longtime Colts scribe and Pro Football Hall of Fame selector Mike Chappell joins JJ Stankevitz for an in-depth conversation about the Hall of Fame cases for Adam Vinatieri and Reggie Wayne (3:45), starting with how the Pro Football Hall of Fame's change in its selection process is leading to fewer players getting inducted into Canton. JJ then asks Chapp why Reggie Wayne hasn't been inducted yet (10:21) despite being a finalist in every year of his eligibility. JJ and Chapp then break down Adam Vinatieri's Canton case (20:43) and why he didn't get in as a first-ballot inductee last year. Chapp also predicts who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next summer (27:20) before diving into the annals of Colts history for the biggest sliding doors moment (32:47) since the team moved to Indianapolis.

JJ Stankevitz is joined this week by the greatest kicker in NFL history, Adam Vinatieri, for a conversation about how he handles the Hall of Fame process and what the night before a Super Bowl is like for a kicker. Vinatieri also remembers the impact Jim Irsay had on him and how he's watched Colts kickers and Philip Rivers this season. Vinatieri also gets into a story about how "splitting the uprights with Adam Nougatieri" led to hundreds of Snickers bars being delivered to his house . Finally, JJ wraps up the podcast with a Colts Show Mailbag question about the future of Daniel Jones in Indianapolis .

JJ Stankevitz is joined by former Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard for a wide-ranging conversation about how coaching high school football led to him falling in love with football again, and why the end of his career was so heartbreaking. JJ and Shaq also discuss the current Colts' defense, Jonathan Taylor and more in their conversation.

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Colts Ring of Honor wide receiver Bill Brooks to break down Tuesday's massive news that the Colts officially signed 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers to their practice squad. JJ runs through what we know and don't know about Rivers, Riley Leonard and the Colts' plans at quarterback, then Bill lends his perspective as a former player on if Rivers could be ready to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks if need be. JJ and Bill also discuss Rivers' relationship with Leonard and head coach Shane Steichen, and get into how Rivers could support Leonard as the Colts aim to turn their season around over the final four weeks of 2025.

The Colts Show is back with JJ Stankevitz offering a quick recap of Week 13 and his thoughts on where the Colts stand in the AFC playoff race before former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell joins the pod for an insightful discussion into his career journey, how he leads within the Colts' wide receiver room and why he's come to love Indianapolis. JJ then opens The Colts Show Mailbag for a deep dive into the Colts' offensive issues on first down, and how they can go about fixing them down the stretch (23:00).

On this week's episode of The Colts Show, JJ Stankevitz opens the pod with his reaction to the Colts' Week 12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and looks ahead to the final six games of the season and how looming matchups against the Texans and Jaguars could impact the Colts' playoff odds. JJ is then joined by tight end Mo Alie-Cox for a chat about his growth and role as a run blocker, his appreciation for Jonathan Taylor and how the 2025 Colts have been able to maintain their process amid the ups and downs of the season.

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Colts long snapper Luke Rhodes and punter Rigoberto Sanchez for a conversation that begins with two of the longest-tenured members of the Colts' perspectives on the growth of the franchise over the last nine years (2:06). Rhodes and Sanchez explain their routine in practice and during games (4:43) and the certain nuances of their position (7:12) before getting into their memories of their first career tackles (13:08) and what the 2025 season has been like with the Colts' lack of punts (16:15). Rhodes also explains why giving back to veterans means so much to him (20:56) and Sanchez offers his perspective on how he's representing Mexico in the NFL (21:50).

JJ Stankevitz last week joined by Colts legends Edgerrin James, Dallas Clark, Bill Brooks and Joe Reitz on stage at the Colts Fan Zone in Berlin for a live edition of The Colts Show. JJ and the guys get into their thoughts on the current team, what it means to each of them to be a Colt and what they see as the keys for the rest of the 2025 season for the Colts.

Colts.com team writer & PA announcer JJ Stankevitz sits down with safety Cam Bynum (1:23) for a conversation about Cam's community work back home in the Philippines and the inspiration Cam draws from Manny Pacquiao (4:11). JJ and Cam also dive into what it's takes to be a safety in the NFL, especially in Lou Anarumo's defense (5:35), what Cam learned from playing alongside Harrison Smith (8:10) and what he's seen from Daniel Jones in terms of his football IQ (11:28). They get into Cam's high school rivalry with Michael Pittman Jr. (13:38), how Nick Cross' versatility helps the Colts secondary (15:14) and the global growth of football (16:17). JJ then opens up the Colts Show mailbag (17:07) for a listener question about the Colts' approach to playing in Berlin in Week 10.

Colts team writer & PA announcer JJ Stankevitz is joined by center Tanor Bortolini (4:08) for a conversation about how the second-year player's season is going so far, and what he's picked up from O-line coach Tony Sparano Jr. and left guard Quenton Nelson in his NFL career. JJ and Tanor also talk about blocking for Jonathan Taylor (8:47), what it was like to grow up in Wisconsin and play for the Badgers (11:48) and also how he put on 30 pounds in high school so he could get recruited (15:40). JJ then opens up the Colts Show mailbag (20:15) for a listener question about the level of competition the Colts will face in the second half of 2025, and JJ also dives into something he's been thinking about with the Colts' offense this season (26:15).

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Colts running backs coach DeAndre Smith for an inside look at why Jonathan Taylor is having such a remarkable 2025 season. Smith explains why Taylor being healthy is the starting point here (3:01) and how he's challenged Taylor to improve as a complete running back (12:20). The guys also discuss the impact veteran Ameer Abdullah has made since joining the Colts (16:32) before Smith explains what he saw in a young Shane Steichen when they were together at UNLV 15 years ago (19:36). Finally, Smith shares stories from his time playing professional football in the south of France in the 1990s (23:09) and looks ahead to returning to Europe for the Colts' Week 10 game against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin. JJ also opens The Colts Show Mailbag (28:37) for a question about the upcoming trade deadline.

Colts.com writer & stadium PA announcer JJ Stankevitz is joined by safety Nick Cross (3:09) for a conversation about how he's become the standout player he is in 2025. It starts with Cross studying pro athletes (4:28) and how the prepare as a kid, and how he continues to be a lifelong learner when it comes to his process (8:38). Nick then gets into how Lou Anarumo has helped bring his game to another level (12:42) and shares a wholesome story from his wild high school recruiting process (16:45). JJ and Nick also discuss how he's rebounded from a difficult start to his career (22:13) and why he watches Bob Sanders tape before every season (27:12).

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for behind-the-scenes insight into why quarterback Daniel Jones has had success right from the start of the 2025 season, and how the Colts' coaching staff has been able to use rookie tight end Tyler Warren in so many versatile ways. Cooter also explains what he thinks makes Shane Steichen a good head coach, and has a story about learning a hard lesson from Peyton Manning when he just was getting his start as a young coach in the NFL. JJ then opens the Colts Show Mailbag for a listener question about holding penalties and looks ahead to the Colts' Week 6 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Robert Mays, the host of The Athletic Football Show, for some national perspective on why the Colts' strong start to the season isn't a mirage, and why the Shane Steichen-Daniel Jones pairing has been successful so far. Robert also offers his view of why the Colts' weapons have fit together so well on offense and why the Jaguars have surprised and the Texans have faltered in the AFC South. JJ then opens up The Colts Show Mailbag for a question about the Colts' pass rush and looks ahead to Sunday's Week 5 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium.

JJ Stankevitz is joined by wide receiver Ashton Dulin for a chat about the physicality it takes to play in the NFL and why he enjoys blocking so much. JJ and Ashton also talk about the NFL's dynamic kickoff, the mentality of being a "next man up" and golf. JJ then opens The Colts Show Mailbag for a question digging into what's behind the Colts' 3-0 start, dives into what's making Jonathan Taylor so effective this season and previews a huge Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce for a conversation that touches on what it takes to be an unselfish but still productive wide receiver in Shane Steichen's offense, plus what he's learned from Reggie Wayne over the last four seasons. Alec also offers something he's learned about Daniel Jones that might surprise people, and he and JJ go deep into his versatile high school sports career – and why athletes should play as many sports as possible as they grow up. JJ then opens The Colts Show Mailbag for a question about how Sam Darnold started his comeback season in 2024 versus how Daniel Jones has started his year in 2025, and then JJ previews Week 3's matchup between the Colts and Titans.

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Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II joins JJ Stankevitz for a dive into why he and his teammates have bought into Lou Anarumo and the scheme the new defensive coordinator has brought to Indy, as well as insight into how Moore and the entire Colts team are moving on after a blowout of the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. Moore also details the kind of legacy he's still building in Year 9 with the Colts and why doing good things in the community is so important to him. JJ then opens The Colts Show Mailbag and looks ahead to a fascinating matchup between the Colts and Denver Broncos on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

JJ Stankevitz sits down with Colts starting quarterback Daniel Jones to chat about his expectations for the 2025 season, his willingness to throw the deep ball, what he's learned about Shane Steichen as a playcaller and what words he'd use to describe some of the top players on the Colts. JJ then opens The Colts Show Mailbag for a question about preseason power rankings, and JJ dives into what to look for specifically from the Dolphins' offense against Lou Anarumo's defense in Week 1.
The Colts Show is presented by Microsoft Surface Copilot+ PC, where every day is gameday.