INDIANAPOLIS – Spencer Shrader faced what he described as one of the most mentally taxing experiences of his career this past preseason. On Sunday, his phone rang with the news that would change everything: he had officially made the Indianapolis Colts roster as their starting kicker for the upcoming season. The call came from special teams coordinator Brian Mason, and Shrader's immediate reaction was a sigh of relief.
"He calls and tells me that I’m going to be starting for the Colts… and all I could do was sigh," Shrader recounted during a press conference. When Mason expressed surprise at his subdued reaction, Shrader clarified, "I’m incredibly grateful and blessed. I was praying about that and working towards that, but you have to prepare yourself emotionally for any outcome, and it took a while for that to set in and feel real."
This season marks the second consecutive year that Shrader has been named the Colts' starting kicker, a position he has fought hard to maintain. His journey began in the 2024 offseason when he joined the Colts as an undrafted free agent. Initially brought in to challenge then-starter Matt Gay, Shrader's perseverance paid off as he navigated through a tumultuous year that included brief stints with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite Gay remaining under contract, the Colts showed confidence in Shrader, signing him as their long-term kicker after releasing the veteran. His initial performance in the 2025 season was impressive, as he converted 13 of 14 field goals for one of the league's most potent offenses. However, his season was cut short due to a severe injury sustained from an illegal hit, resulting in a torn ACL and MCL.
During his eight-month recovery, the Colts turned to Blake Grupe, who excelled in Shrader's absence, making all 21 of his kicks and setting a franchise record with a 60-yard field goal. Grupe's success led to an intense competition for the starting kicker position this offseason, with both players vying for the job throughout training camp.
As the competition unfolded, Grupe initially held the upper hand. Shrader acknowledged the challenge, stating, "It was all that I could do to just keep up with him in camp and stay even." Despite the pressure, Shrader managed to find his rhythm, culminating in a standout performance during the preseason, including a 61-yard field goal against New England.
The final days of training camp saw both kickers performing at high levels, but Shrader's consistent accuracy in practice and games ultimately swayed the decision in his favor. Shrader noted the mental challenges of the competition, emphasizing the importance of focusing on self-improvement rather than external opinions. "It really is a mental grind, week-to-week," he said. "I prepared myself mentally for the decision, because I think it might be one thing from the outside, but when that’s you, you don’t know the final decision that’s going to happen."
With the announcement now behind him, Shrader is poised to take on the responsibilities of the Colts' kicking game as they head into the 2026 season. His journey from undrafted free agent to starting kicker exemplifies the hard work and resilience required to succeed in the NFL.
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