The Indianapolis Colts started the season with an 8-2 record, one of the best in the league after 11 weeks. Then everything went south for the team.
The Colts are currently on a six-game losing streak, the third-longest in the NFL, largely due to numerous injuries on both sides of the ball.
Daniel Jones, who was considered a risky signing, was on track to have his best season in his career, but he suffered an Achilles tear that derailed the Colts’ season.
The franchise was all in on making a run in the playoffs by the in-season moves they made, including trading for cornerback Sauce Gardner.
While the organization had some positives this season, one NFL writer believes a major change could happen after the end of the season.
Bold Claim On Coaching Staff
GettyShane Steichen is in his third season coaching the Indianapolis Colts
Head coach Shane Steichen is in the third year of his six-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts and for the third time as a head coach, he will finish the season with a 9-8 or 8-9 record.
During his time at the helm of the franchise, six different quarterbacks have been behind the center. The struggle to find a capable, steady quarterback has derailed Steichen’s team from making the playoffs.
With how things have looked in recent weeks, a senior NFL writer makes a bold claim about the future of Steichen’s future in Indy. USA Today’s For The Win’s Christian D’Andrea believes the Colts’ head coach is in the hot seat following the last few weeks.
“How much of the Colts’ injury-related crashout will be heaped at the feet of Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard? Indianapolis was once 7-1. Now it’s at risk of finishing 2025 with a losing record,” D’Andrea wrote.
“Steichen and Ballard came into the year on the hot seat, emerged as potential award winners over the first half of the season and then shrank from the spotlight as things went sour… The Colts are heading into their first full offseason without former owner Jim Irsay at the helm in four decades. Current principal owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and her sisters have been raised in a football world and understand the big swings he took to make Indianapolis great for a long stretch (and bad-to-mediocre for a longer one). Would they opt for a clean break to start fresh this January?”
With a head coaching market that will include some heavy hitters, the Colts could start with a clean slate and plan a rebuild.
Some Positives For Shane Steichen and Co.
GettyDaniel Jones’ season was forced to end due to an Achilles tear
While the last six weeks for the Indianapolis Colts have been a disaster, the first 10 had some green flags.
As mentioned, Daniel Jones was on track to have his best season, which could be enough for Shane Steichen to remain as head coach. It was when Jones was dealing with his fractured leg and then his Achilles tear that was the start of the Colts’ downfall.
If the former Duke Blue Devil had not suffered his leg injuries, things could have looked different for Indianapolis.
Steichen may have found the quarterback he was most comfortable with to lead the team and be called the franchise QB.
But the major blow in this situation with Daniel Jones is his Achilles tear which will likely knock the player out for the first few weeks of the 2026 season. In which Steichen will likely need an interim and could further derail his tenure with the team.
Senior NFL Writer Makes Bold Claim About Indianapolis Colts