Following the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 18 overtime win over the Jaguars, owner Jim Irsay addressed the team in the locker room. Here is what he had to say:
“Everyone have a good offseason. Be safe,” said Irsay in a video from the team site. “Obviously we’re disappointed but we are 1-0 in 2025 and we have a lot of work to do but we’re still proud of the effort you guys put forth. Let’s find a way back to our greatness. That’s what my goal is and as you guys are the same as me.
“We’re committed to winning and so far, I know this year has been a disappointment, but I’m proud of you guys that you fought back and won in overtime to get us to 8-9. Very proud. I wish we could have had a couple different plays, it could have been a different year, but we will work hard and we certainly appreciate you guys. I love you guys.”
The 2024 season became the fourth consecutive year that the Colts missed out on the playoffs and it was the third time in that span where they suffered a devastating late-season loss that eliminated them from contention.
However, despite another unsuccessful season, GM Chris Ballard will return, as will head coach Shane Steichen. The only change that’s been made at this time is that the Colts have parted ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
On the field, the Colts defense ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in scoring for the third straight year under Bradley and the likely tipping point for him came in Week 17 when the defense surrendered 38 points to the Giants’ offense.
However, as DeForest Buckner described recently, it’s going to take more than a new scheme to improve the Colts’ defense. Egos and complacency have to be put to the side.
Contributing to that change of mindset can be Ballard if he’s willing to explore free agency and bring in some much-needed competition at several positions. While the Colts under Ballard are always bullish on their own players, the on-field play tells us that this roster isn’t good enough and needs to be supplemented in free agency in a few spots.
For the offense, meanwhile, the ceiling for this unit in 2025 will ultimately be determined by the play of Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen’s ability to help him take a big step forward.
One would think that the upcoming 2025 season is going to be make or break for a lot of people within this organization–although, who knows at this point.