The Colts are facing a competitive kicker battle between Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader during training camp. Both players started last season, making this competition particularly intense.
Key points
Colts kicker battle features Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader
Both kickers started for the Colts last season
Adam Vinatieri's departure opened the kicking position
Grupe returned through free agency
Competition is winner-take-all
Mentioned in this story
Adam Vinatieri
ColtsBlake GrupeSpencer Shrader
Colts on Spencer Shrader, Blake Grupe kicker battle: 'Be a difficult one'
INDIANAPOLIS â The hottest battle of Colts training camp likely wonât come at one of the positions left open by the departure of a long-term starter.
It will be waged by two players who started for Indianapolis at the same spot last season.
The Colts were able to bring back Blake Grupe in free agency, setting up a winner-take-all battle with a recovering Spencer Shrader for a kicking job that has essentially been up for grabs since age finally caught up with Adam Vinatieri.
The Colts have been through plenty of kicking competitions since Vinatieri retired.
What makes this one different is that Indianapolis believes it has two of the best 32 kickers in the NFL on the roster.
âIt's going to be exciting to see how those two guys compete. I think it'll bring the best out of both of them,â Indianapolis special teams coordinator Brian Mason said. âOne of them will certainly win the competition, be starting for the Colts, and one of them will be fortunate enough to start for somebody else, but I think they're both going to be starting kickers this year in the NFL.â
Q&A
Who are the kickers competing for the Colts' job?
The kickers competing for the Colts' job are Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader.
What happened to Adam Vinatieri that affected the Colts' kicking position?
Adam Vinatieri's departure due to age-related decline has left the kicking position open for competition.
How did Blake Grupe return to the Colts?
Blake Grupe returned to the Colts through free agency, setting up a competition with Spencer Shrader.
What is at stake in the Colts' kicker battle?
The kicker battle is a winner-take-all competition for a crucial position that has been unsettled since Vinatieri's retirement.
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Oct 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs with the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavien Howard (4) and safety Camryn Bynum (0) celebrate after Bynum forces a turn over against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of a game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) celebrates Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Tennessee Titans, 38-14.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) during warmups before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) reacts against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025.
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Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (84) pulls in a catch for a first down Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) makes a catch Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The play was called back on a penalty.
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jaylon Jones #40 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts during the first half of the game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass thrown by Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Raiders 40-6.
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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (16) reacts after a kickoff return Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez (8) kicks the ball Monday, July 28, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts defensive end JT Tuimoloau (91) sings while warming-up Thursday, July 31, 2025, during Colts Training Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) snaps Friday, July 25, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Matt Goncalves (71) prepares for stretching Thursday, July 24, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Justin Walley (27) stands on the field Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during NFL Colts mandatory mini camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts place kicker Spencer Shrader (3) kicks Friday, July 25, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann (79) gets a five from fellow offensive tackle Blake Freeland (73) on Friday, July 25, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore brings down Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube.
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Jalen Travis #75 of the Indianapolis Colts takes the field during player introductions before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (13) celebrates with Indianapolis Colts tight end Will Mallory (86) after scoring a touchdown Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 14: Blake Grupe #10 of the Indianapolis Colts kicks a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
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Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) and guard Josh Sills (66) walk onto the field Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, before a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers during training camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts guard Dalton Tucker (68) gets a drink of water Thursday, July 24, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts tight end Sean McKeon.
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Johnathan Edwards (35) reacts after breaking up a pass Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Austin Ajiake (58) wraps up Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (14) on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts safety Trey Washington (41) catches the ball Thursday, July 31, 2025, during Colts Training Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Aug 16, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Hunter Wohler (30) catches a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
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Bayron Matos, from the Dominican Republic, is practicing with the Miami Dolphins as an offensive tackle.
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Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Jack Wilson (76) on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the first day of training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts player Tim Smith (93) stretches during training Camp at Grand Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Westfield, Ind.
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Indianapolis Colts running back Ulysses Bentley IV (37) dances after scoring a touchdown Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Coleman Owen (3) rushes the ball Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
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Aug 23, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Seth Henigan (19) walks toward the sideline against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Joseph Vaughn (49) works to bring down Cincinnati Bengals running back Quali Conley (40) on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
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Tennessee Titans linebacker Arden Key (49) is congratulated after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 11: Defensive end Micheal Clemons #72 of the New York Jets warms up before the NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Alec Pierce #14 of the Indianapolis Colts scores a touchdown in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
A late hit by Raiders safety Tristin McCollum on Shraderâs right knee put everything in motion to get the Colts to this point. Shrader, the promising young kicker who won the job last offseason, suffered a torn ACL and MCL, ending his season and putting the Colts right back on the kicker carousel.
When veteran Michael Badgley faltered, Indianapolis pounced on Grupe after New Orleans released the third-year kicker, believing that the Coltsâ operational consistency could fix what was ailing a kicker whoâd missed eight field goals for the Saints.
Grupe made every kick down the stretch, including a franchise-record 60-yard bomb to give the Colts a late lead in Seattle.
The way Grupe kicked, it was something of a surprise that another team didnât recognize the difference in operational consistency and sign Grupe, a free agent, as a potential starter.
âThere was definitely interest, and he had options, but no matter where he was going to go, unless you're like one of the top-end kickers in the league, he was going to have to compete somewhere,â Mason said. âObviously, he felt really comfortable with his opportunity to compete here based off how the season ended for him, and we're really happy that he decided to come back.â
When Grupe signed, Shraderâs injury still left uncertainty about how heâd recover.
A torn ACL in the kicking leg is a rare injury for the position â by being in motion, the kicking leg isnât often planted when a player takes a hit â and it was unclear how heâd respond.
Two months later, the Colts are getting glowing reports.
âAll signs are that heâs ahead of schedule,â Mason said. âHeâs not with us at practice with him being on the Injured Reserve list, but he has been kicking. He started off kicking deflated footballs. Now he's kicking full PSI footballs. And from all indications that I'm hearing, he looks like he's not even injured as far as when he's kicking. He's got really good juice on his kicks, good pop on the ball.â
Leg strength is often what separates kickers at the NFL level in an age when the position is more accurate than ever. The league average for field goal percentage was .856 last season, and 11 kickers made at least seven field goals of 50 yards or longer.
âUsually when you're talking leg talent, you're talking about the height at the line of scrimmage, so how much height and trajectory do they get on the kick?â Mason said. âAnd then, who has an ability to make more from 50-plus and 60-plus?â
The answer to the second question is not easy.
Grupe was one of the 11 kickers who made at least seven field goals from 50 yards or longer, and even though Shrader is only 1 of 2 in his short career from distance, he actually profiles as the player with a little bit stronger leg.
âThey have different mechanics,â Mason said. âGrupe is a jab and two-step guy, where Spencerâs a two-step guy. Spencer is a little bit bigger and more powerful of a leg, being heâs a slightly more statured guy, but Grupe has more experience.â
Mason is typically looking for two things in a kicker battle.
Leg strength and mental makeup.
But he coached Shrader and Grupe at the college level in addition to their time with the Colts, so Mason knows his two kickers are made of the right stuff, and he knows they have the leg strength.
How he decides between them will come down to who makes more kicks in camp. Grupe and Shrader will likely kick three times a week in training camp, and kicks in scrimmages or preseason games will be weighted more heavily than practice kicks.
Who makes more kicks is the easiest way to determine a winner. If the numbers are close, though, the next level is weighing kicks that are down the middle versus kicks on the edges of the uprights, and if thatâs all square, Mason will have to make a decision based on upside and talent alone.
Shrader made it easy last year, soundly beating out Maddux Trujillo for the job.
Mason isnât expecting this competition to be the same way.
âSometimes it's easy, and one guy's kicking considerably better and more consistent than the other,â Mason said. âI think in this situation with two talented kickers, it'll probably be a difficult one, and it'll be exciting to kind of play all the way out through training camp.â