Two Colts competing for starting jobs weigh in on their current preparation and mindsets

Indianapolis Colts Ashton Dulin

On Tuesday, two Indianapolis Colts players, both of whom are vying for different starting jobs on opposite sides of the football, weighed in on their newfound opportunities and the ongoing positional competitions.

Each of the competing players has had a different pro career path that’s led to the Colts.

Specifically, Ashton Dulin, who was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by Indianapolis out of DII Malone, has spent the last 7 seasons and his entire NFL career to-date with the Colts.

Initially making his mark as a a core special teams player for the Horseshoe, he’s continued to grown and develop into a rotational receiving option for the Colts—and maybe even a first-team starting wideout for 2026.

With longtime Colts starting veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this offseason, there’s a major void and playing time opportunity for both Dulin and his wide receiver teammates to try to fill and compete for:

“Yeah, losing Pitt, obviously was big for our room.” Dulin said via The Athletic’s James Boyd. “This guy was a culture guy. A leader guy. So we’ll miss him obviously, but our receivers are a good, close-knit group. Everybody’s kind of been riding with us for a while now. Definitely taking that opportunity to fill that space after Pitt left.”

“That’s just being on the basis of doing everything right, every day. Come into work. Open the playbook. Take care of your bodies. Being available and knowing your role as well. Knowing that, that spot is available, and everybody’s competing for it. So for me, it’s attacking as if it was my first year. Knowing that, that spot is open, there’s points to be proven, and reps to be won, so that’s my mindset.”

“Yeah, losing Pitt, obviously was big for our room.” Dulin said via The Athletic’s James Boyd. “This guy was a culture guy. A leader guy. So we’ll miss him obviously, but our receivers are a good, close-knit group. Everybody’s kind of been riding with us for a while now. Definitely taking that opportunity to fill that space after Pitt left.”

“That’s just being on the basis of doing everything right, every day. Come into work. Open the playbook. Take care of your bodies. Being available and knowing your role as well. Knowing that, that spot is available, and everybody’s competing for it. So for me, it’s attacking as if it was my first year. Knowing that, that spot is open, there’s points to be proven, and reps to be won, so that’s my mindset.”

Dulin figures to be one of the top contenders for the starting outside wide receiver spot opposite Alec Pierce, along with veteran free agent signing Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who was added earlier this offseason.

Meanwhile, veteran edge Arden Key, who signed a 2-year, $20 million contract with Indianapolis just a few months ago, is widely considered the early frontrunner for the starting defensive end job opposite Laiatu Latu.

He was initially a 3rd round pick of the Raiders organization in the 2018 NFL Draft, but has since had pro stops with the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans before joining the Colts this offseason.

“Consistency,” noted Key also via The Athletic’s James Boyd. “That’s it. The most consistent guy will win the job. That’s just what it is in this league. You’ve got to be consistent in order to stay in this league. In order to get the (starting) spot, you have to be the most consistent out of all of them.”

“Consistency,” noted Key also via The Athletic’s James Boyd. “That’s it. The most consistent guy will win the job. That’s just what it is in this league. You’ve got to be consistent in order to stay in this league. In order to get the (starting) spot, you have to be the most consistent out of all of them.”

Due to his veteran experience and coming off another productive season for the Titans, where he started 9 games, Key is expected to be the initial favorite to replace former departed first round starter Kwity Paye, who signed with Key’s old club, the Las Vegas Raiders, this past early free agency period.

The Colts also saw fellow veteran defensive end Samson Ebukam sign with the Atlanta Falcons, meaning the 30-year-old Key is one of the veteran leaders of that positional room now—even being brand new to the organization.

Key’s top competition is expected to be former 2025 Colts 2nd round pick, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, who while had a slow start to his pro career as a rookie last year, has gotten leaner and is hoping to take a big step forward during his ‘sophomore campaign.’ He’s hopefully grown and improved from that clear first-year learning curve.