Spencer Shrader in position to secure Colts’ kicking job

WESTFIELD, Ind. — Spencer Shrader has created definite separation in the “other’’ open competition at training camp.

That would be the one not involving Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones.

The Indianapolis Colts are poised to put their kicking responsibilities in Shrader’s hands, or on his right foot.

“He certainly has the leg up in this competition,’’ special teams coordinator Brian Mason said Monday at Grand Park. “Spencer will start to get the bulk of the load as we move forward today. He had a majority of the kicks today in practice.

“He will be the starting kicker and the only kicker that will kick this weekend on Saturday against the Packers.’’

Mason based his evaluation on how Shrader and Maddux Trujillo have performed in training camp. Shrader has converted 87% of the field-goal attempts charted by Mason while Trujillo, an undrafted rookie out of Temple, is at 78%.

In the preseason opener at Baltimore, Shrader converted 53, 33 and 39-yard attempts before glancing a 52-yarder off the left upright. Trujillo knocked down the Colts’ only PAT in the 24-16 loss to the Ravens.

Mason noted Shrader also pulled a 56-yard attempt to the left in the Colts’ joint practice with Baltimore.

“I think he’s kicking better in training camp than he was in OTAs,’’ Mason said. “I think he’s kicking better in week 3 of training camp than he was in week 1.

“Obviously, any time you have a new starting kicker, there’s going to be some bumps in the road. But I think he’s starting to get more comfortable.’’

In Monday’s practice, Shrader went 4-for-4, hitting from 21, 34, 40 and 46 yards. Trujillo converted 38 and 46-yarders.

The open kicking competition was created when the Colts released veteran Matt Gay in April. He was in the third year of a four-year, $22.5 million contract that made him one of the NFL’s highest-paid kickers.

The decision to move on from Gay was more performance than finances. The team no longer trusted his reliability on 50-plus-yard attempts.

In 2024, Gay was 28-of-28 on kicks of 49 yards or shorter, but 3-of-9 on 50-plus yard attempts.

This is the second summer Shrader has spent with the Colts at Grand Park.

He signed last offseason as an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame, and kicked in the opener when Gay was out with an injury. He converted his only three PAT attempts in the opening loss to Houston.

When Gay returned, Shrader spent time on the Colts’ practice squad before being released and signed by the New York Jets to their practice squad.

In stints with the Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, Shrader was 5-for-5 on field goal attempts while converting all six of his PATs.

Mason said Trujillo still will have an opportunity to display his strong leg, perhaps in the preseason finale at Cincinnati.

“We’ll reassess after the Packers game,’’ Mason said, “but Maddux will get an opportunity to be able to get some film out there and show what he can do in the last game.’’

You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.