Colts at a Crossroads: With Playoff Hopes Fading, Change Feels Inevitable-But Not at the Top
Let’s not sugarcoat it-if the Indianapolis Colts miss the playoffs this year, something’s got to give. After jumping out to a 7-1 start, Indy now sits at 8-6 with three games left on the schedule. All three are against playoff-caliber opponents, and with a roster that's been decimated by injuries, the path to the postseason is looking more like a steep uphill climb than a winnable sprint.
But while the frustration is real-and justified-this shouldn’t turn into a conversation about replacing head coach Shane Steichen. Yes, the offense has sputtered.
Yes, there are fair questions about how Jonathan Taylor has been used. But if you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, Steichen has done enough to earn the benefit of the doubt.
He’s brought a sense of structure and identity to this team, even if the execution hasn’t always followed through.
A Promising Start, a Painful Slide
Let’s rewind for a second. After eight weeks, the Colts were one of the surprise stories of the season.
They had momentum, they had swagger, and they looked like a team that could punch above its weight. But since then, it’s been a different story.
Indianapolis has dropped five of its last six, including four straight, and the offense that once looked crisp and creative has hit a wall.
Injuries have played a big role-there’s no denying that. Losing key contributors like Daniel Jones and DeForest Buckner (among others) has taken a toll.
But even before the injury bug really sank its teeth into this roster, the cracks were starting to show. The rhythm on offense faded.
The defense struggled to get off the field. And the team’s early-season magic started to look more like smoke and mirrors.
Steichen’s Challenge: More Than Just X’s and O’s
Steichen’s game-day decisions have been under the microscope, but what’s drawing more attention lately is how he communicates-especially when things aren’t going well. He’s not the most expressive guy at the podium, and while that’s not a crime, it becomes a problem when fans and media are looking for clarity, honesty, or even just a sense that the head coach shares their frustration.
Take his recent comment after the Week 15 loss to Seattle, when he said he was “very encouraged” by the team’s current state. That didn’t sit well with a fan base that’s watched the Colts tumble from the top of the AFC South standings into the playoff danger zone. There’s a time for optimism, but there’s also a time for realism-and right now, Colts fans are craving the latter.
Three Games, One Defining Stretch
The final stretch of the season doesn’t do Indianapolis any favors. Up next: the 49ers, Jaguars, and Texans-three teams with serious postseason aspirations and rosters built to make life miserable for a banged-up Colts squad.
Even at full strength, this would be a gauntlet. As things stand, it’s a survival test.
If the Colts drop all three and finish 8-9 after starting 7-1, it won’t just be disappointing-it’ll be alarming. That kind of collapse demands accountability.
It doesn’t mean you blow it all up, but it does mean you take a hard look at what went wrong and who’s responsible. Changes will be necessary.
The front office, the coaching staff, the player personnel group-no one escapes scrutiny when a season spirals like this.
But Don’t Lose Sight of the Foundation
Still, amid the frustration, it’s important to keep perspective. Steichen isn’t the problem here.
He’s a young coach navigating a roster that’s been hit hard by injuries and inconsistencies. He’s shown enough as a play-caller and leader to warrant another year, especially if the front office can give him a healthier, more complete roster to work with.
This season may not end the way Colts fans hoped. A fifth straight year without a playoff appearance-and the ninth in the last 11-would sting.
But the worst thing Indy could do is overreact and reset the clock again. The foundation is there.
Now it’s about building on it the right way.
Because if this team can stay healthy and find some consistency, the Colts might not be far from turning the corner. The question is whether they’ll finish this season with enough momentum-and honesty-to convince their fans they’re still on the right track.