Imagine your favorite football team’s season hanging in the balance, not because of a star quarterback’s injury or a defensive collapse, but because of missed kicks. That’s the reality the Indianapolis Colts are facing right now. After Michael Badgley’s third missed extra point of the season on Sunday, the team is scrambling to find a reliable kicker—and this is where it gets interesting. Enter Blake Grupe, a kicker recently cut by the Saints after a disappointing 2025 season where he made just 18 of 26 field goal attempts. But here’s where it gets controversial: would signing Grupe, who’s struggled this year, really be an upgrade over Badgley, who’s been inconsistent on extra points but nearly perfect on field goals? And this is the part most people miss: the Colts’ kicker woes aren’t just about individual players—they’re a symptom of a larger issue as the team fights to stay atop the AFC South after a recent slump. Let’s break it all down.
On December 2nd, 2025, the Colts began hosting kicker workouts in Indianapolis, with Grupe among the candidates auditioning. This move comes on the heels of Badgley’s latest misstep, though head coach Shane Steichen remained tight-lipped about the team’s plans, deferring to general manager Chris Ballard. ESPN’s Stephen Holder predicted the Colts would explore alternatives, and that prediction has come to fruition. Grupe’s situation is particularly intriguing—after two relatively solid seasons with the Saints, his 2025 performance plummeted, leading to his release. It’s hard to ignore the irony of the Colts potentially signing a kicker who’s had his own share of struggles this season.
But let’s not forget the bigger picture. The Colts started the season 7-1, looking like a lock to dominate the AFC South. Now, after losing three of their last four games, they’re in a precarious position. While offensive improvements are critical, the kicking game could be the difference between a playoff run and a disappointing end. Badgley, a veteran who kicked for the Colts in 2021, was brought back after Spencer Shrader’s season-ending ACL and MCL tears in October. Shrader’s injury was a tough break—literally—and Badgley’s return seemed like a safe bet. But his inconsistency on extra points has the team reevaluating their options.
Here’s the kicker (pun intended): If the Colts sign Grupe, are they trading one set of problems for another? Or could a change in scenery reignite his career? And what does this say about the team’s confidence in Badgley moving forward? These are the questions fans and analysts alike are debating. One thing’s for sure: the Colts can’t afford to let special teams cost them games as they fight to secure a playoff spot.
As the team weighs its options, one thing is clear: the kicking position is more than just a footnote in the Colts’ 2025 story. It’s a critical piece of the puzzle that could determine their fate. So, what do you think? Is Blake Grupe the answer, or should the Colts stick with Badgley? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark some heated opinions.
