Despite last week’s heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Indianapolis Colts are off to a hot start to the 2025 season. At – what used to be – the quarter pole of the season, the Colts are 3-1 and in co-possession of first place in the usually-competitive-for-the-wrong-reasons AFC South division.
During that span, kicker Spencer Shrader has been nearly perfect, converting 13 of his 14 field goal attempts (he missed on against the Tennessee Titans, and if there is ever a game to miss a field goal…) and all 12 of his extra points.
His pinpoint-accurate kicked has earned Shrader AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors.
“Luke (Rhodes) and Rigo (Sanchez) figured out that I got ‘Special Teams Player of the Month’ before I did,” Shrader said. “And their reaction was awesome. They were just so excited and so happy. And it made me feel good to bring those guys joy.”
Shrader leads the entire NFL in field goals made and in total points through four games.
Spencer Shrader sets Colts franchise record for points
Shrader has now scored 51 points, which are the most points by any Colts player through the the first four weeks of a season in franchise history. That’s pretty good considering Adam Vinatieri kicked in Indianapolis for 14 years from 2006-2019.
Coincidentally, it’s not all that surprising that Vinatieri was the last Colts player to win the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month award back in October of 2016.
This is a big deal for the second-year Shrader, who has bounced around the NFL since his rookie season in 2024. That included stints with the Colts, New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. He was 10-10 last year wherever he went, which led to him getting the full-time gig in Indy this year.
“Confidence inspiring, but more so just appreciative for getting that opportunity,” Shrader said.
Colts teammates are excited for Spencer Shrader and his accomplishment
On Thursday, the media gathered around Shrader to talk to him about his honor. Luke Rhodes, Shrader’s long snapper, played the role of Flavor Flav.
“There he is,” Rhodes said. “Player of the Month.”
Shrader was obviously very excited, but also remained humble.
“It’s been a blessing,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
As stated previously, Rhodes and holder/punter Rigoberto Sanchez found out about Shrader’s award-winning moment before he did. It was a really big deal for him to share the honor with the two of them.
“Their reaction was awesome,” he said. “They’re just so excited and so happy. It made me feel good to bring those guys joy, and from that circle on to the team as a whole.”
Shrader was good enough last year for the team to feel comfortable moving on from former All-Pro kicker Matt Gay, who signed with the Washington Commanders following his release. So far, Shrader has made the Colts‘ brass look extremely intelligent.
His next test will come this weekend as the Colts (3-1) host the Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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