Colts kick off bittersweet summer training camp
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Sprinting into one last summer in Westfield. Photo: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
For the past eight summers, Colts Training Camp has given local football fans the chance to get up close and personal with their hometown heroes in HamCo.
Why it matters: Camp's return to Westfield on Wednesday marks the end of an era as the team prepares to spend summers closer to home.
Flashback: The Colts signed a 10-year deal to move training camp to Grand Park Sports Campus in 2018, ending decadeslong stints at Anderson University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
- Camp skipped Westfield in 2020 and was held without fans at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis due to COVID-19.
- In 2027, training camp will permanently move to the Farm Bureau center.
By the numbers: Grand Park draws roughly 2.5 million visitors a year, and Colts camp is a signature driver of that Hamilton County tourism engine, according to city officials.
- Westfield Mayor Scott Willis says the partnership has "helped create lasting memories" and established the city "as a premier destination for sports."
What they're saying: "It's also bittersweet that this will be our last camp at Grand Park, so we look forward to incorporating many special moments to celebrate the memories and friends we've made during our Westfield era," Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon said in a statement.
Zoom in: Daniel Jones' health is the most important question to be answered at camp. As the team's unquestioned starter after a season of uncertainty, everyone is keeping an eye on the quarterback's return from a torn Achilles suffered in Week 14 last season.
- Jones, who inked a new deal in March, has progressed from individual drills to seven-on-seven work during spring and says he expects to be full-go for the start of camp.
- Anthony Richardson Sr., meanwhile, finds himself in another quarterback battle. He's going up against Riley Leonard for QB2, and Richardson making the final roster isn't a given following his unsuccessful pursuit of a trade.
- There is also serious competition at kicker. Spencer Shrader, returning from injury, will take on incumbent Blake Grupe for the job.
- Sauce Gardner is a big name making his Colts camp debut. Indianapolis sent two first-round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets for the All-Pro corner at last year's deadline, then went 1-6 the rest of the way with him largely sidelined by injury.
Plus: The Colts host the Falcons Aug. 19-20 ahead of their preseason matchup on Aug. 22.
If you go: Colts Camp includes seven free daytime practices and six primetime practices that cost $5 each to attend. Kids ages 17 and under get into all sessions for free.
- Tickets can be claimed or purchased here.
What's next: The preseason opener is Aug. 13 against New England.