At least one noticeable difference for the Indianapolis Colts’ defense in 2024 compared to 2023 is that defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is blitzing a fair amount more.
For the entire 2023 season, the Colts blitzed at rate of just 15.7 percent, which by the way, was the lowest in all of football that season.
Through two games this season, however, the Colts are blitzing at a rate of 27.8 percent, which is the ninth-highest rate at the moment. According to PFF, the Colts blitzed CJ Stroud 11 times and Malik Willis nine times.
Next up on the schedule for the Colts are the Chicago Bears with rookie Caleb Williams at quarterback, and we will likely see this more blitz-heavy approach continue.
In Williams’ first two NFL games, the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans have blitzed him often and found success in doing so.
Collectively in those two games, Williams was blitzed on 37.5 percent of his dropbacks–the fourth-highest rate in football. He’s also completed just 7-of-22 pass attempts for 34 yards with an interception.
The Chicago offensive line has struggled in the early going, surrendering the ninth-highest pressure rate and the second-most sacks. Overall, the Bears passing game is averaging 4.0 yards per attempt and 99.0 total passing yards per game.
While it’s been a slow start through the air for that offense, they boast a very good group of receives with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Keenan Allen–who is on the injury report after not playing in Week 2.
The Colts ability to blitz and capitalize on those opportunities will not cause some potential chaos for Williams, but it will take some of the burden off their secondary, which faces a difficult matchup against these Bears’ receivers.