COLTS SQUAD SHOW: Last RIDE with Grove? | Will the Colts Get One Last Solid Season From Their Vet DT

The Colts' defensive identity hinges on two aging veterans: Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner, both entering contract years in 2026. While Stewart remains a reliable, high-impact nose tackle whose value lies in his intangibles—size, knowledge, and ability to occupy double teams—Buckner’s future is in serious doubt due to a lingering neck injury that has sidelined him for months. The panel debates whether Buckner’s career is effectively over, with many believing his time in Indianapolis is likely his last. Stewart, meanwhile, is seen as a safer, more sustainable option, with the potential to play into his late 30s. The Colts’ defensive tackle depth is strong at three tech, thanks to additions like Colby Wooden and Adetami Wadabora, but the backup nose tackle role remains a glaring weakness. The episode also revisits the controversial 2024 decision not to trade for LeJarrius Sneed, a move that now looks prescient given his disastrous tenure in Tennessee. The hosts argue that sometimes the best move is no move at all—especially when the risk of injury outweighs the reward. The conversation underscores a core truth in the NFL: the most valuable players aren’t always the flashiest, but the ones who provide consistent, irreplaceable value. Stewart’s ability to anchor the interior without needing elite speed or athleticism makes him a rare commodity.