While some changes could be coming on the sidelines or in the front office relatively soon, the Colts will have a large degree of stability in both regards. Head coach\u00a0Shane Steichen\u00a0and general manager\u00a0Chris Ballard\u00a0are both safe, per a team announcement.
\nThis news comes as little surprise. Recent indications for both Ballard and Steichen have suggested they would be safe for 2026, and that is now officially the case. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon\u00a0will conduct a press conference on Monday, per the announcement.
\nBallard and Steichen were floated as hot seat occupants entering the campaign based on their inability to find success following the\u00a0Anthony Richardson\u00a0selection. Expectations were tempered early with\u00a0Daniel Jones\u00a0at the helm, but his surprising level of play helped guide Indianapolis to a record of 8-2 at the bye. A postseason berth \u2013 and potential the AFC\u2019s top seed \u2013 seemed well within reach. The past two months have seen a dramatic decline, however.
\nJones suffered a partial fibula fracture and then an Achilles tear, ending his promising season. Injuries have also dealt a notable blow on defense in general and the secondary in particular throughout 2025. That factor, coupled with a string of challenging matchups against playoff-bound opponents, contributed to a seven-game losing streak to finish the campaign. As ESPN\u2019s Stephen Holder notes, the Colts have become the first time in league history to finish with a losing record despite being at least six games over .500 at one point.
\nThat unwanted piece of history would add to the case against Ballard in particular. Holder confirms, however, that the late-season collapse did not play a major role in deciding the fate of the Colts\u2019 HC-GM combo. The team will look for better luck on the health front and for dividends from moves such as the\u00a0Sauce Gardner\u00a0trade, one which leaves it without a first-round pick in 2026 or \u201927. Retaining Jones will loom as a major priority.
\nBallard has operated as Indianapolis\u2019 general manager since 2017. In that span, the team has gone 70-78-1, reaching the postseason on only two occasions. With just one playoff victory to his name, Ballard drew increasing criticism for his reliance on retaining in-house player for much of his tenure. 2025 saw a departure in philosophy, with the Gardner blockbuster being preceded by multiple free agent splashes. In her first full offseason running the team, Irsay-Gordon has elected to allow Ballard to continue seeing out the vision set forth last spring.
\nSteichen was hired in 2023 after a strong run as an offensive coordinator with the Chargers and Eagles. The 40-year-old guided the team to a 9-8 finish in his first season in place. 2025 marks the second in a row with a record of 8-9, but that run of mediocrity and an absence of playoff action will not outweigh the impressive showings from Indianapolis early this year.
\nThe AFC South features a Jaguars team which went 13-4 in 2025 and a Texans squad preparing for its third straight playoff appearance. The Titans will likely have increased expectations for next year, Cam Ward\u2018s second in the NFL. The Colts will rely on familiar faces as they look to replicate the success from this fall moving forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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