Colts head coach Shane Steichen on Thursday announced eight team captains for the 2024 season.
The eight players were voted captains by their teammates. They are:
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner
Years as captain: 6 (2018-2019 with 49ers, 2021-2024 with Colts)
Both on and off the field, Buckner is the epitome of a consistent, productive and professional NFL player. The 30-year-old is a three-time Pro Bowler, including in 2023, and he's one of five players with at least seven sacks in each of the last five seasons. But Buckner's standout play doesn't happen by accident: His meticulous routine to get his mind and body ready for gameday are an example for all of his teammates to follow.
Linebacker Zaire Franklin
Years as captain: 5 (2020-2024 with Colts)
Franklin is the vocal leader of the Colts, with the veteran linebacker's message resonating not just on defense, but on offense and special teams. His perspective and wisdom are invaluable to the Colts' locker room; he's also a tremendous example of how far hard work can take a player. A 2018 seventh-round pick, Franklin worked his way to becoming a special teams captain, earning a second contract and then a role on defense, setting a franchise record for tackles and then breaking his own record the next year and then this offseason, earning another contract extension from the Colts.
Center Ryan Kelly
Years as captain: 2 (2023-2024 with Colts)
The Colts' longest-tenured player debuted in 2016 and is coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2023, the fourth of his career. Along with fellow captain Quenton Nelson and right tackle Braden Smith, Kelly helps set a high standard for the Colts' offensive line room – one which continues to be met by younger players like Bernhard Raimann and Will Fries. And that high standard permeates not only the offensive line, but the rest of the Colts' locker room.
Cornerback Kenny Moore II
Years as captain: 3 (2022-2024 with Colts)
Moore, like Franklin, is a shining example for any overlooked player. After being claimed off waivers on roster cut-down day from the New England Patriots in 2017, Moore set about building an outstanding career – and legacy – for himself in Indianapolis. A 2021 Pro Bowler and Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, Moore has played in 103 games (89 starts) since joining the Colts eight seasons ago; last year, he became the first player in franchise history with two pick-sixes in a game.
Guard Quenton Nelson
Years as captain: 4 (2021-2024 with Colts)
Nelson's no-nonsense physicality and high standards for both himself and his team set an important tone within the Colts' locker room, pointing to the left guard being a team captain for four consecutive years now. The 2018 first-round pick has been a Pro Bowler in every year of his career, and he's only missed three games in his six seasons in the NFL.
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Years as captain: 1 (2024 with Colts)
Not many No. 1 receivers relish blocking a linebacker on a run play like Pittman does. He blend of brawling physicality with standout production (109 receptions, 1,152 yards in 2023) raises the level of play for all his teammates: If Pitt's doing it, I should be too.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson
Years as captain: 2 (2023-2024 with Colts)
The Colts have seen Richardson continue to grow into a leadership role over his two seasons in Indianapolis, and it's a testament to the 22-year-old's personality that he's been voted a team captain in both of his seasons as a pro. You won't find anyone in the Colts' locker room who isn't riding with Richardson this season, with the 2023 No. 4 overall pick inspiring confidence in his teammates through his play on the field and actions off it.
Running back Jonathan Taylor
Years as captain: 2 (2022, 2024 with Colts)
The Colts are expecting big things from Taylor in 2024 not just with the ball in his hands, but through the leadership he brings to the locker room and sideline. The 25-year-old Taylor finished the 2023 season strong, with a 30-carry, 188-yard, one-touchdown showing against the Houston Texans.
