The Indianapolis Colts have finalized their decision regarding the placekicker position for the 2026 NFL season, waiving Blake Grupe and retaining Spencer Shrader. This decision comes as the Colts trim their roster from 90 players down to the mandated 53 by the NFL's deadline. Grupe, who joined the Colts midway through the previous season, had an impressive finish in 2025, converting all 21 of his field goal attempts in the last five games, including a franchise-record 60-yard kick.
Grupe initially signed a one-year contract with the Colts in March, entering a competitive battle against Shrader, who was returning from a serious knee injury that had sidelined him for much of the previous season. Shrader had undergone surgery to repair torn ACL and MCL ligaments, which he suffered during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5 of the 2025 season.
During his time with the Colts, Grupe was brought in as the team's third kicker after the release of Michael Badgley, who had struggled with consistency. Grupe's experience included stints at Arkansas State and Notre Dame, as well as two seasons with the New Orleans Saints, where he faced challenges in 2025, missing eight field goals over 11 games before being waived.
The competition between Grupe and Shrader intensified during training camp, which began in late July. Both kickers participated in alternating kicking sessions, showcasing their skills in front of coaches, teammates, and fans. Initially, Grupe appeared to have the upper hand, converting 27 out of 30 kicks in the first few public sessions, while Shrader managed 20 out of 30 attempts. However, Shrader's performance improved as he regained confidence in his kicking leg.
As the preseason progressed, both kickers had their ups and downs. Shrader struggled with some left pulls, while Grupe faced a notable miss from a shorter distance. A pivotal moment occurred during a preseason game against the New England Patriots, where Shrader successfully kicked a 61-yard field goal to tie the game, while Grupe missed a similar attempt. This game seemed to shift the momentum in Shrader's favor.
Despite Grupe's consistent performance in practice, where he finished with an impressive 87.2% success rate, his in-game struggles ultimately cost him the job. In the Colts' final preseason game, Shrader solidified his position by executing a 60-yard field goal, demonstrating his powerful leg and accuracy under pressure. Grupe, on the other hand, finished with a less impressive showing, hitting just two of four attempts in preseason games.
As the Colts move forward, they expect both kickers to find opportunities elsewhere in the league, particularly given the ongoing struggles many teams face at the placekicker position. Grupe's strong performance in training camp and preseason games, despite the final outcome, suggests he could be picked up by another team soon. With fewer than four vested seasons in the NFL, Grupe will be subject to waivers before potentially joining a new franchise in the coming days.
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