The Indianapolis Colts just got a major win this offseason - and it didn’t come from a free agent signing or a draft pick. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is staying put.
After being in the mix for multiple head coaching jobs - including interviews with the Titans, Giants, and most recently the Bills - Anarumo will return to Indy in 2026. The Bills filled their vacancy by promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady, leaving Anarumo to continue building on what he started with the Colts' defense.
It’s no secret that Anarumo has long been viewed as a future head coach. He’s been on shortlists before, and he didn’t shy away from that ambition when asked back in November, calling it a “career goal.” But for now, that goal is on pause - and the Colts are more than happy to benefit from it.
Let’s be clear: Anarumo’s first season with the Colts wasn’t without its growing pains. The defense finished 23rd in total yards allowed (349.8 per game) and tied for 20th in scoring defense (24.2 points per game).
Not exactly elite numbers. But context matters - and the Colts’ brass believes the arrow is pointing up.
Injuries hit this unit hard in 2025. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner missed seven games.
Charvarius Ward Sr. was out for ten. Sauce Gardner, a key piece in the secondary, missed most of five games.
Kenny Moore II missed three. Rookie corner Justin Walley and hybrid safety/linebacker Hunter Wohler both lost their entire seasons to injury.
That’s a lot of firepower sidelined - and a lot of strain on depth.
Still, even with the setbacks, the defense showed flashes of what it could be under Anarumo. The scheme was more aggressive, the communication cleaner, and the unit played with a noticeable edge, especially late in the season.
Now comes Year 2 - and with it, a clear vision. General manager Chris Ballard has already stated the goal: get younger and faster on defense. That means the Colts will likely be active in free agency and the draft, adding speed, versatility, and depth to a group that’s already got some cornerstone talent.
The return of Anarumo gives the Colts something they haven’t had on defense in a while: continuity. And in today’s NFL, that matters.
Players can grow in the same system. Coaches can build on what worked and fix what didn’t.
And a team that’s been searching for defensive identity might finally be finding one.
So while Anarumo’s head coaching dreams remain on hold, his presence in Indianapolis is anything but temporary. The Colts are banking on his experience, his leadership, and his ability to turn a banged-up, middle-of-the-pack unit into something more.
And if 2025 was the foundation, 2026 might just be the breakout.