What does the future hold for Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator Gus Bradley?
In a recent article from ESPN insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, both opened up their notebooks to share the latest buzz and what they are hearing around the NFL.
When it comes to the Colts, Fowler highlighted what he’s heard about GM Chris Ballard’s possible job status beyond 2024 and where Bradley currently stands.
I’m going to guess that, to the surprise of no one, it was reported in this article that Bradley “appears to be on the hot seat.”
The tipping point for Bradley and his future with the team may have come this past Sunday in New York. In a must-win game against a Giants’ offense that had averaged just over 14 points per game on the season, the Colts’ defense surrendered 38 points in that contest, on their way to an “embarrassing” loss, as Bradley put it.
“The overall performance on Sunday was embarrassing,” said Gus Bradley via the Indy Star. “As the leader, it’s my responsibility for our overall play, and I take that responsibility.”
Now, certainly, the players are responsible for the outcome and play on the field, but at the end of the day, Bradley is the one in charge of that unit and has to shoulder the responsibility for the performance.
In addition to that, while there have been some stout defensive performance sprinkled in throughout the year, which includes a very good showing versus Denver, for the most part, the Colts’ defense has underwhelmed, and often done so against what should be inferior opponents.
Indianapolis will enter Week 18 ranked 25th in scoring, allowing 25.3 points per game. They also rank 28th in yards per pass attempt allowed and 26th in rushing yards per game, plagued by big plays and missed tackles all season.
It’s also not as if the defensive issues only took place in 2024. During both the 2022 and 2023 seasons under Bradley, the Colts ranked 28th in scoring defense.
Sunday’s play in New York is the type of performance not only from the defense but the team as a whole that can lead to changes in the offseason, especially when coupled with an overall disappointing season. I think the real question at this time isn’t if there will be changes made, but how drastic will those changes be?