Indianapolis Colts Offensive Line Holding Team Back?

The Indianapolis Colts have the NFL’s most expensive offensive line. General manager Chris Ballard said from the beginning the team would be built through the trenches. In terms of overall investment, there’s no denying that fact.

However, with that asset allocation becomes an expectation of sustained success. So far this season, new quarterback Matt Ryan has been under constant siege. Twelve sacks in three games from Indianapolis’ offensive line is simply inexcusable. Throwing in the pressures, Ryan won’t be able to survive a full 17-game season at this current pace.

Where exactly are the trouble spots along the offensive line? Quenton Nelson continues to be dominant up front, albeit a few hiccups here and there, but there’s serious questions arising across the rest of the unit.

Right tackle Braden Smith and center Ryan Kelly continue to not play up to their current contract standing, which isn’t a good sign. Smith’s struggles against speed-rushers continue to show up through the first three weeks. Meanwhile, Kelly is missing blitz pick-ups with more regularity than ever before. For those two, it’s simply inexcusable.

Two new starters across the Colts’ offensive line headline an offseason filled with changes for the unit known to be one of the league’s best since 2018.

Matt Pryor, who was never a full-time starter heading into 2022, is now protecting Ryan’s blindside. After a rocky first few weeks, Pryor bounced-back well in a pivotal Week 3 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. If Pryor is able to settle down and consistently handle his one-on-one matchups, it will go a long way to finally seeing some stable play across the line.

The biggest issue right now for Indianapolis’ offensive line woes is third-year pro Danny Pinter. The hometown native who attended nearby Ball State University, Pinter’s struggles at right guard continue to rear its ugly head. At this point, Pinter feels out of place at guard after seeing his early success at center spelling Kelly from time to time. Whether it be against speed or power, Pinter is unable to hold up on a snap-by-snap basis.

Where can the Colts go from here if the offensive line struggles continue forward past a must-win matchup on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans? There’s a few routes that can be taken to fix it, but the first one is everyone performs to their standard.

Kelly and Smith need to play at an elite level, but Pryor and Pinter also need to prove the Colts right by putting so much trust in them throughout the offseason. If the inconsistencies continue, rookie Bernhard Raimann is waiting in the wings as he develops within an NFL strength and conditioning program.

Raimann, the third-round pick out of Central Michigan, appears in line to become the Colts’ long-term solution at left tackle. An easy solution here could be Raimann taking over there while Pryor slides into Pinter’s spot at right guard. After proving himself last season as a valuable swing piece along the Colts’ offensive line, that feels like Indianapolis’ best shot to steer the ship in the right direction.

Sunday’s matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium versus the Titans will tell us a lot about whether the unit will stabilize. If a month straight of negative play exits that matchup, it’s totally fair to wonder whether it’s time to change some things up.

Incredibly enough, the Colts’ disappointing 1-1-1 start falls back upon the unit the organization has invested the most resources in. The true backbone of the Colts is failing them, and it can’t continue any longer if they want to finally break through as AFC South champions.