The Indianapolis Colts are gearing up for what could be one of the most intriguing—and overlooked—training camp battles this summer: the kicker position. While the 2026 NFL draft will bring its own set of roster shake-ups, this competition has been quietly brewing for months. Special teams coordinator Brian Mason recently shed light on the face-off between Spencer Shrader and Blake Grupe, two kickers who have proven themselves at the professional level.

"It's unique," Mason said. "Certainly with two proven guys at this level is certainly unique. We have two guys who are talented enough and deserving to be starting kickers in the NFL. They're both great teammates, and do all the right things, and work really hard. That's going to be exciting to see how both of them compete. I think it will bring out the best in both of them."

Both kickers bring impressive credentials to the table. Grupe rejoined the Colts earlier this offseason as a free agent, stepping in late in the 2025 season after Shrader suffered a knee injury. From Week 14 onward, Grupe was flawless: a perfect 10-for-10 on field goals and 11-for-11 on extra points, according to Pro Football Focus. Before his injury, Shrader was equally reliable, going 14-for-14 on extra points and 13-of-14 on field goals—including a game-winner against Denver. He earned the starting job last summer by winning a similar camp battle against Maddux Trujillo.

Mason confirmed that this year's competition will follow the same structure as last year's, ensuring both kickers get a fair shot. "One of them will certainly win the competition and be starting for the Colts, and one of them will be fortunate enough to start for someone else," he added. "But I think they're both gonna be starting kickers."

For Colts fans, this battle is a testament to the team's depth and the high stakes of NFL special teams. Whether it's Shrader's clutch game-winners or Grupe's near-perfect finish, Indianapolis is set to have a reliable leg in the lineup—and that's a win for any team's championship aspirations.