Jonathan Jones, an NFL insider for CBS Sports, recently went through the potential upcoming coaching carousel and shared what he’s hearing about the Indianapolis Colts.
Let’s start with head coach Shane Steichen. According to Jones, Steichen has been “considered safe” as he finishes Year 2 with the Colts.
This seems to be the general consensus from other NFL insiders as well. Albert Breer, Ian Rapoport, and Dianna Russini have all echoed similar sentiments about Steichen’s future with the team.
That potential news doesn’t come as much of a surprise. For one, because of what all those NFL insiders are hearing, but in addition to that, in order to give Anthony Richardson the best chance to begin putting it together in 2025, continuity with the play-caller and coach is going to be an important element.
When it comes to Ballard, Jones didn’t have anything concrete in that regard, but did mention that the lack of division titles, along with how last Sunday went could result in this being his last season with the team–nothing we didn’t know.
If the Colts do move on from Ballard, Jones noted that that someone who is familiar with Steichen could be brought in as a replacement.
One name to watch in that regard is Chicago Bears’ assistant GM Ian Cunningham, a name Breer brought up recently. Both Cunningham and Steichen worked together in Philadelphia for a season.
Lastly, when it comes to all of these decisions being made in regards to who stays, who goes, and who any potential replacements are, Jones wrote that Jim Irsay’s daughter, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, “has considerable sway in organizational matters.”
Nothing definitive or even anything beyond speculation has been reported at this time. But if we follow the trail of information that is out there, the general consensus seems to be that Steichen will return and Ballard will be out.
Now, do things actually play out that way? Well, we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out.