Breaking down Colts' offseason with Ian Rapoport & Dianna Russini

·23 min·2 clips

JJ Stankevitz was playing Uno with his kids when Ian Rapoport's tweet about Philip Rivers' comeback buzzed in his pocket.

The episode features host JJ Stankevitz in conversation with NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport and The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini, recorded at the NFL Owners Meetings. Rapoport opens with a detailed story about breaking the news of Philip Rivers' 2025 comeback, describing how he received a tip, made frantic calls to confirm it, and eventually tweeted the news just before going on air. He reflects on Rivers' impact and praises head coach Shane Steichen's ability to manage the veteran quarterback. Rapoport also discusses Colts owner Carly Irsay-Gordon, arguing that her sideline involvement with a headset is not meddling but responsible ownership. Russini then joins, analyzing the Colts' 2025 season as a great movie that was paused due to injuries, particularly to quarterback Daniel Jones. She states the Colts were considered the best team in football at their peak and discusses Jones' recovery timeline, suggesting he could be ready for training camp. Russini highlights the importance of head coach Shane Steichen's belief in Jones and identifies wide receiver Alec Pierce as a key offensive factor, noting general managers debated his value in free agency. She assesses the Colts' place in the NFL landscape, predicting they can compete for the division if healthy, and comments on Irsay-Gordon's leadership style, emphasizing accountability. The episode concludes with Russini affirming the job security of general manager Chris Ballard and coach Steichen, contingent on a successful draft.

As heard by us

A Colts offseason discussion finds its best angle in what active ownership should mean.

The Colts Show puts its NFL Owners Meetings conversations to work as a broader look at who gets to shape the Colts' offseason. JJ Stankovic starts with NFL Network's Ian Rappaport on the rush of breaking the Phillip Rivers news, then shifts to The Athletic's Diana Russini on…

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Why you'd press play

You want the Colts' offseason decoded through Ian Rappaport's Phillip Rivers story, Carly Ursae Gordon's ownership style, and a read on Shane and Chris Ballard.

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