The Colts were in desperate need of a pass-catching tight end after the 2024 season. Their previous group of Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson and Drew Ogletree combined for 438 yards and two touchdowns on 67 catches.
Then Tyler Warren came along.
The former Penn State Nittany Lion has already turned heads at Colts training camp, despite not playing a regular season snap yet. Every day, he makes play after play, impressing the Indy coaching staff. He’s already listed as their top tight end on the Colts’ unofficial depth chart after just one preseason game.
Head coach Shane Steichen is so enamored with Warren that he’s already compared him to an NFL legend— former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, who Steichen overlapped with for four seasons in San Diego.
Steichen recently discussed this comparison on The Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams when she paid a visit to Grand Park.
"I think he's got a natural feel for the game. I think he has an awareness for zones and voids in the defense as he's running routes,” Steichen said about the similarities he sees between Warren and Gates.
Steichen continued, saying, "But the one thing that's really impressive about him is he's got unbelievable hands. And then, when he's out in open space, he's so physical at the point of attack. He's going to lower his shoulder and go after you, so I love that about him."
Warren has enormous potential in Steichen’s offensive scheme. That potential only rises by receiving comparisons (in some aspects) to one of the greatest players to ever play the position.
There’s still over three weeks before Warren makes his regular season debut, but he will continue his growth this weekend when the Colts host the Green Bay Packers for a joint practice and preseason clash.