Stampede Blue
So, the title of the article is slightly misleading because there is no official starting kicker named for the 2025 Indianapolis Colts. There is still a two man battle occurring at camp, but just because two men are still out there, it doesn’t mean one doesn’t have a clear advantage. Spencer Shrader appears to be establishing himself as the kicker for this year and ideally, for years to come. That would be the best case scenario after the Colts went from experiencing incredible consistency over the years to finding themselves hunting for a reliable and permanent replacement for Adam Vinatieri.
Joel Erickson breaks down how Shrader has the advantage from several angles. He is kicking at a better clip throughout camp so far, which is normally the fast track to being named the stater; edging out rookie Maddux Trujillo at a rate of 87% to 78%. Not only is he winning camp, he has NFL experience. That is huge.
An injury to former kicker Matt Gay led to Shrader kicking in the season opener a year ago. Weeks later, Shrader got signed to a spot start by the Jets, and he made both of his field-goal attempts for New York. Two weeks later, Shrader was signed for another spot start by the Chiefs, and he made three field goals, including the game-winner, against the Panthers.
Having played in the NFL and making game winning kicks, Shrader has the advantage over any rookie. Is 87% a perfect percentage? Of course not. Shrader did made three fields goals, but he also missed a 52-yarder in the preseason opener against the Ravens. The coaching staff understands Shrader is not a finished, polished product. He is only a second year player and never really found a home last season, bouncing around the league making spot starts. While he isn’t fully where he needs to be, the experience he gained is incredibly valuable. The confidence fans had in Vinatieri all those years will be hard to replace. That was built on longevity, consistency, and being other worldly clutch. Vinatieris don’t come around every day. If Shrader can provide long term reliability and deliver at a high clip, he could find a permanent home in Indianapolis.
The kicking battle continues, but Spencer Shrader is inching closer to assuming the role of opening day starter. Barring an injury, it appears his for the taking. Colts fans should relish the fact that a kicker is creating distance and showing strong ability. His first preseason game wasn’t perfect, but it was solid. Will he need to make more of those 52-yarders than he misses? Absolutely. Give him a chance to show what he can do, though. Only then can we can see if he can be part of the long term vision. Vinatieris don’t come around every day, but once in a blue moon, someone close just might.
