How Colts TE Tyler Warren can take game to next level in 2026

Tyler Warren entrenched himself as one of the Indianapolis Colts' top weapons as a rookie, but head coach Shane Steichen still sees another level the second-year tight end can reach. Steichen mentioned Warren's route running when asked where the former first-round pick can continue developing entering Year 2. "More fluidity in and out of breaks," Steichen said, per The Athletic's James Boyd, identifying it as an area of improvement for Warren. It's a relatively specific critique for a player who already produced at a high level during his first NFL season. And along those lines, earlier this offseason, Warren mentioned maintaining separation throughout his routes as an area of emphasis for him. Warren caught 76 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games in 2025. His 817 receiving yards set a franchise record for a rookie tight end; plus, he also scored once on the ground. Indianapolis used Warren all over the formation during that breakout campaign. The 2025 No. 14 overall pick took snaps at tight end, receiver, and in the backfield, handing Steichen a versatile piece to work with offensively. Becoming smoother coming out of his breaks could make Warren even more difficult to cover, particularly as his route tree expands in his second season. This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: How Colts TE Tyler Warren can take game to next level in 2026