Colts OL Coach Confirms Matt Goncalves Will Start at Right Guard
After months of speculation, Colts offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. confirmed today what many had suspected: second-year tackle Matt Goncalves will shift inside and start at right guard in place of Will Fries for the 2025-26 season.
This move had long been presumed, particularly after the Colts made no additions at interior offensive line in free agency or the draft. The writing was on the wall, but until now, it remained speculation based on circumstantial evidence and insider analysis. With Sparano’s confirmation, it’s clear this wasn’t a backup plan—it was the plan.
Though some questioned the Colts’ decision not to address guard in the offseason, especially given concerns over depth, today’s confirmation casts those choices in a new light. The team’s confidence in Goncalves has been steadily building, internally and through public comments by executives and coaches alike.
One succession move that’s faced little criticism is rookie Tanor Bortolini stepping in at center for veteran Ryan Kelly. But the decision to slot Goncalves into right guard raised more eyebrows—mainly due to his inexperience at the position. Moving from tackle to guard is no small transition, and there were legitimate concerns about his fit and readiness.
Adding to the uncertainty was the health of right tackle Braden Smith, whose injury history has made offensive line depth a bigger concern. Fortunately, the Colts added rookie tackle Jalen Travis in the draft and still have Blake Freeland waiting in the wings, though the depth beyond them is less reassuring.
Despite the question marks, Sparano Jr. has earned some benefit of the doubt. Since taking over as OL coach in 2023, the Colts’ offensive line has rebounded impressively. Under his leadership, players like Bernhard Raimann and Will Fries have developed into potential Pro Bowl-caliber talents.
General manager Chris Ballard hinted at the team’s confidence in Goncalves after Day 2 of the NFL Draft, saying, “We like [Matt] Goncalves and he ended up playing pretty good football for us. We think he has a really bright future, whether it’s at tackle or guard. We’ll have a good OL when we start the season.” At the time, it sounded like general optimism—now it looks more like foresight.
Earlier today, Sparano elaborated on why the team is so high on Goncalves despite his lack of starting experience and the challenge of changing positions:
“There’s two things. One, when you’re evaluating players out of college, you look at the full skill set. Will [Fries] was a tackle at Penn State—it’s not always a straight line from college position to NFL role. Sometimes you’re projecting a guy to play somewhere new, and that takes real thought.”
He continued by outlining what makes Goncalves a good fit at guard:
“He’s a big man with power and length, but he’s also deceptively quick. He can move in space, and we saw flashes of that in the run game last year. Plus, he’s a tough, physical player—that’s non-negotiable for our guards.”
The belief in Goncalves goes beyond college film. Sparano pointed to his development throughout his rookie season:
“He took a ton of reps at both guard spots and at tackle. Even though fans only saw one play in the Miami game, he was repping to be the next man in at four positions. I watched him grow, gain comfort, and show he’s ready. And more than that—I know the person, the worker. My confidence in him couldn’t be higher.”
With Week 1 still months away, the Colts have their starting five penciled in. Two first-time starters will anchor the interior, but with veterans like Quenton Nelson and Braden Smith flanking them—and Sparano Jr. steering the unit—the Colts believe they have the right mix to succeed up front.
Leave a Reply