Despite recent speculation that Colts general manager Chris Ballard‘s job could be in danger, team owner Jim Irsay has released a statement on X announcing that Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen will be returning to lead the team in 2025. 
Ballard, who just finished his eighth season as GM in Indianapolis, has been under heavy fire by the media lately. During his tenure, the Colts have failed to win a single division title. The team started season 4-3 with wins over the Steelers and Dolphins, but a three-game losing streak followed by alternating wins and losses to close the year left the Colts at 8-9 and two spots out of the playoffs. This is the sixth time in Ballard’s eight years that Indianapolis has missed the playoffs and the fourth season in a row.
While Ballard was considered to be on the hot seat, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Steichen was likely to return as head coach. Only in his second season as head coach, Steichen has gone a consistent 17-17 as the skipper of the Colts.
If there is indeed a problem in the leadership in Indianapolis, it may be communication. There have been rumblings of a lack of direction as well as some “public misconceptions due to the relatively high level of secrecy within the building.” This has been especially the case surrounding the handling of the starting quarterback position and the benching of top 2023 draft pick Anthony Richardson. The perception is that the communication issues have been in the building for years, but with Steichen as head coach, the issues have improved.
If there is a coaching change, though, Jones anticipates that it could come on defense. With the team entering Week 18 at 27th in points allowed and 29th in yards allowed, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley may not end up returning to coach the defense in 2025.
As for Ballard and Steichen, Irsay’s comments seem to indicate that no changes will be made. The team will hope to find it’s direction under year nine of Ballard and year three of Steichen.
They wouldn’t have done better if they fired them.
Agreed, look at what he did with Herbert, Hurts, and even made Minshew a pro bowler. Steichen just needs Richardson to work on his accuracy and that’s a top ten roster easy, and that’s even before the draft and FA
Steichen is a good coach and the fact that the Colts were even in the conversation for the playoffs is because of him. He has to work for / under Irsay and Ballard and then has a “Franchise” QB that has no heart and tapped out of the game…Richardson sucks. When he finally gets fired because Irsay and or Ballard need a fall guy, he won’t be out of a job very long.
3-I disagree. I think he’s a good coordinator/play caller but not a good head coach. Colts need a legit coach who is the CEO of the players and coordinators who take care of their side of the ball.
Bad owner, GM, HC & QB. 2025 is already shaping up to be another .500 season for the Colts.
How about we wait for free agency and draft before deciding what everyone’s records gonna be. Lot of changes coming between now and start of 2025.
Have you seen anything resembling success with Ballard or the HC? It’s an easy declaration in my opinion.
I’ve seen Detroit take an entire roster and go from 1-6 to where they are now under the same coaching staff using the same players to turn things around. In a tougher division. Not like the AFC south is some powerhouse or anything
Far as success. Colts were a dropped pass to a backup running back away from beating Houston and going to the playoffs a year ago. Came down to one play final game of the season.
The GM has been there 8 years and never won the AFC South. He sucks.
8 years
4 winning records
2 playoff appearances almost 3
I’ve certainly seen worse
Not bad for a team with no long term stability at QB
Isn’t it the GM’s #1 job to bring stability at the QB position? Enjoy another sub .500 season. It’s that predictable. No different than the Jags retaining Ballke, both men are bad the job.
So is winning games the GMs fault or the QBs fault? Cause you constantly change who you’re blaming for wins and losses. Hard to keep track with your ramblings sometimes.
And no. That’s the coaches job to ensure the QB fits their system. Coaches are the one who are working closely with the players. The GMs job is to handle finances and bring in players the coaching staff thinks will help either draft or free agency. That’s how it should work. GMs aren’t down there putting guys thru practice
2020 Philip Rivers
2021 Carson Wentz
2022 Matt Ryan / Sam Ehlinger / Nick Foles
2023 Gardner Minshew / Anthony Richardson
2024 Anthony Richardson / Joe Flacco
Enough said about Ballard bringing in top flight QB’s. Have you enjoyed the last few years for your team? Sincere question.
I’ve enjoyed the last few years as a fan of my team quite nicely actually. Which isn’t a colts fan. But I’ve seen worse than what the colts have done. Way worse. My teams been worse than what the colts have done under Ballard last 8 years.
Yeah
8 years
4 winining records
2 playoff appearances almost 3 with Gardner Minshew no less
Amazing they’ve done all that without a long term answer at QB.
I can’t argue with someone who enjoys being roughly .500 for 5 years straight. That’s your call.
Is that the GMs fault or QBs fault?
The GM brought in washed up QB’s for 4 years straight, then drafted Richardson who started less than 1 season of NCAA games while at UF.
I’d say it’s the GM’s fault. Again how many division titles has his teams won? Not rocket science.
So then for instance Bengals wins and losses are Duke Tobins fault not Joe Burrows
Enjoy another losing season, that you claim to enjoy. The GM, HC, & Richardson aren’t good in Indy. But on the bright side it’s mock season!!!
lol you running scared arty? I asked you a simple question.
You said Ballard is to blame for colts wins losses cause he brought in the QBs
So does wins and losses fall on Duke Tobin who brought in Burrow and authorized the extension right.
Pretty simple yes or no. Why you’re afraid and scared to answer is weird.
If you think Burrow is a worse QB than your last 5 years of QBs, you don’t know the game. Have a good night.
Both GM’s should be fired. As should both HC’s. They are boring, basement level teams, & it shows every single year.
Dodging the question arty lmao
Is it the GMs fault or QBs fault when a team isn’t succeeding?
Cause you’ve both blamed Burrow for Cincy struggling earlier this year in the win loss column not Duke Tobin and now blame Ballard for wins and losses not Richardson.
So which is it arty? QB or GM?
SD – Free agency?? When has Ballard done anything in free agency aside from overpaying a few colts to stay-on. He’s batting .500 in the draft. Would rather see Dodds promoted.
With Vrabel as coach.
Ballard has no idea what free agency is.
2017 when he went out and brought in Hankins Sheard
2018 when he bright in Autry
2019 when he brought in Houston and Funchess
2020 when he brought in Rivers
2021 when he brought in Fisher
2022 when he brought in Gilmore
2023 brought in Ebukam Gay Bryant
2024 brought in Davis.
He resigns a lot of his own guys who hit frrr agency as well.
Are you under the assumption he spends nothing in free agency? Cause that’s just false.
Chris Ballard has been an absolute joke as the Colts’ GM. Since Luck retired, the team’s gone 31-36-1, cycled through five QBs in five years, and missed the playoffs three times. No division titles in 10 years in a weak division. He refuses to spend in free agency, drafts like he’s building for 2035, and somehow still thinks the O-line is good. He ignores positions of need (CB, TE, S, WR). Seven years, and he’s drafted ONE Pro Bowl skill player. Fans can’t stand him—he’s turned the Colts from a contender into a team that nobody cares about. How much longer are we supposed to watch him waste this franchise?
I’m so tired of supporting this team and their fascination with mediocrity.