Indianapolis Colts Kicker Battle Heats Up Between Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader

At Indianapolis Colts training camp, rookie kicker Blake Grupe and veteran Spencer Shrader are competing for the team's primary kicking role. Both alumni of Notre Dame, Grupe entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent after posting a franchise‑record 60‑yard field goal last season, while Shrader returns from a season‑ending ACL injury suffered last year.

Head coach Shane Steichen said the competition will be "interesting," and special‑teams coordinator Brian Mason noted the staff is looking at the "big picture" rather than immediate results. The two players, who have known each other since college and even helped recruit each other, expressed mutual respect. Shrader said he feels "blessed to be able to compete with Blake," and Grupe called his rival "a great guy" and "the best competition" for him.