Day 1 of the Indianapolis Colts' 2026 rookie minicamp is officially in the books, and the energy is electric. With eight draft picks, 12 undrafted free agents, a handful of returning players, and 31 tryout hopefuls all taking the field Friday, the future of the franchise is on full display.
Beyond the on-field drills and conditioning, this weekend is about laying the groundwork. For these rookies, it's not just about showing off their athleticism—it's about diving into the playbook and building that crucial foundation for the season ahead. Let's break down the sights and sounds from a packed first day.
Head Coach Shane Steichen already made headlines with his update on Anthony Richardson Sr., confirming, "He's back in the fold right now. That part's been. He's working..." When asked about splitting reps, Steichen kept it simple: "AR's gonna get reps just like Riley Leonard will get reps." As for whether Richardson will compete for the QB2 spot? "We're in May. We'll see how it goes." It's a reminder that the depth chart is far from set, and every snap counts.
Under center, the rookie minicamp quarterbacks are Seth Henigan and Blake Shapen, but keep in mind that young players who aren't rookies can still attend for extra reps. It's all about development at this stage.
On the defensive side, linebacker CJ Allen summed up the rookie mindset perfectly: "At the end of the day, it's still football. It may be different names or things like that. But, man, still gotta tackle the person with the ball, get to the ball. So, that's the main thing." That straightforward, no-nonsense attitude is exactly what you want to hear from a rookie stepping onto an NFL field.
Defensive end Caden Curry, a Greenwood, Indiana native, brought some local pride to the camp. Reflecting on his time at Ohio State, he shared, "They told me that I was gonna have great guys in front of me. That's why I go to Ohio State, to play with the best. I knew it was gonna be a challenge. … I wasn't gonna run away or hide from it." Now, he's embracing the surreal moment of playing for his hometown team: "It's a surreal moment to get to play for your hometown team."
From the first whistle to the final drill, Day 1 set the tone for what promises to be an exciting weekend of growth, competition, and discovery. Stay tuned as these rookies continue to make their mark in the horseshoe.