"I believe we have the players, the coaches we need for that. We've really come closer as a team. And I think that's what it's all about – working together as a team, getting better together every day, every week. We want to start strong and get even stronger during the season, that's the recipe for making the playoffs," explains the Austrian.
Can the Colts make us forget the pain of last season?
Last season, a first playoff appearance looked quite good at one point – after a strong start to the season (8-2), however, they lost their last seven games and finished only third in the AFC South.
"It's brought up again and again. It was very painful, but I think that gave us even more incentive to train harder," Raimann tries to draw something positive from last season's collapse.
Colts offense banking on continuity
A contributing factor to the collapse was, of course, the injury to starting quarterback Daniel Jones in early December 2025. After an Achilles tendon tear, his season ended prematurely.
For the new season, however, Jones, who is equipped with a new $88 million contract, is fully operational again.
"Maintaining consistency with Daniel Jones is, of course, extremely important for the offense. I believe that this year he can once again lead us well, lead us to many victories – and hopefully also to the playoffs and the Super Bowl," says Raimann.
Raimann grows into a leadership role
Raimann is now 28 years old – and already on his second NFL contract. The fact that he is now among the more experienced players on the Colts roster was certainly noticeable this year.
"You naturally get older," Raimann notes. "You have to step up yourself."
What counts among his duties as a leader within the team? "You have to make sure the rookies know exactly how things run in the team, what's expected. I've definitely taken that on this year."
Mental Focus in the Spotlight
What other tips he can give them, and also takes very much to heart himself, is the mental focus – both during a game and throughout the entire season:
"Of course, you can train all year to be fast enough, strong enough – but if you can't consistently deliver that, all the training won't help you."
"The Greatest Feeling a Football Player Can Imagine"
With an average annual salary of 25 million US dollars, Raimann ranks ninth among the highest-paid offensive tackles in the NFL. Financially, the Austrian has therefore already provided for his future; now, his hunger for success is to be satisfied.
"What's most fun is winning. When you come back into the locker room with your boys on Sunday after a hard-fought victory, that's the best, greatest feeling a football player can imagine. That's what we're working towards."
And, of course, the playoffs.
