The Indianapolis Colts started the 2025 season like a team on a mission. They were 7-1, the offense was clicking at a historic pace, and it felt like Shane Steichen had unlocked something special.
Then, suddenly, the momentum stalled. The offense that once looked unstoppable began to sputter.
Jonathan Taylor’s touches dipped, Daniel Jones was throwing more-despite playing through a broken fibula-and fans were left scratching their heads, wondering what changed.
Was it Steichen adjusting the game plan? Was it the offensive line struggling to hold up?
Or was it just the natural regression that sometimes hits even the hottest teams midseason? Whatever the cause, the Colts went from potential AFC contenders to a team fighting to stay relevant in the playoff race.
But here’s the thing: Shane Steichen isn’t going anywhere-and he shouldn’t be.
Even with the late-season slide, Steichen has done more with less than just about any coach in the league. He took a roster filled with question marks and turned it into the league’s highest-scoring offense entering December.
That’s no small feat, especially when your quarterback carousel lands on Daniel Jones, a player who’s faced his fair share of skepticism. Under Steichen, Jones looked composed, confident, and-most importantly-productive.
That’s not just coaching; that’s quarterback development at its finest.
Unfortunately, Jones’ Week 14 Achilles injury throws a wrench into the Colts’ plans. He’s likely out for a significant stretch, and that leaves a big question mark under center heading into 2026. But Steichen’s track record suggests he’ll find a way to keep the offense afloat, even if the personnel isn’t ideal.
What’s more impressive is that Steichen has guided the Colts to at least eight wins in each of his first two seasons, despite instability at quarterback and a defense that’s been anything but consistent. He’s brought stability and creativity to the offense, and even when things haven’t gone perfectly, he’s kept this team competitive.
Now, while Steichen’s job appears secure, the same can’t necessarily be said for general manager Chris Ballard.
Ballard’s tenure has been a mixed bag since he took over in 2017. For every strong draft pick, there’s been a season that ended in disappointment.
The Colts have yet to win an AFC South title under his leadership, and they’ve had as many 4-12 seasons as double-digit win campaigns. That’s not the kind of track record that screams long-term job security, especially for a franchise still searching for sustained success.
The recent move to trade two first-round picks to the Jets for Sauce Gardner signals a win-now mindset. It’s a bold swing, and it could pay off-but it also raises the stakes for Ballard.
With fewer draft assets, the margin for error gets thinner. The Colts need Daniel Jones to return healthy in 2026, and they’ll need to make smart decisions on looming contract extensions.
If things don’t break right, Ballard could find himself on the hot seat.
So while Steichen has earned the benefit of the doubt-and maybe even a spot in the Coach of the Year conversation-the pressure is mounting elsewhere in the building. The Colts started the year looking like one of the league’s best stories. Whether they finish it that way may depend less on the head coach and more on the front office’s next move.