Colts enter another frustration-fueled offseason
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Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon will give head coach Shane Steichen another shot at leading the team to the postseason in 2026. Photo: Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Colts fans are pissed. Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon is pissed. And any sports fan caught up in the promise of the team's historically hot start in 2025 is pissed.
Why it matters: The familiar frustration around the Colts' collapse in the second half of the year hasn't led to significant changes in the front office.
- Despite missing the playoffs in seven of his nine seasons in the role — including the last five consecutive years — Chris Ballard will be back as general manager.
- Shane Steichen, who is well-regarded by Colts players, will also be back. He now has a 25-26 record with no postseason appearances in three seasons.
Catch up quick: The Colts dropped seven straight games to finish third in the AFC South with a 8-9 record.
- They were 8-2 going into their Week 11 bye.
What they're saying: Extending Ballard and Steichen was a hot topic when Irsay-Gordon addressed the media Monday afternoon. She cited their awareness of the high stakes as her reason for sticking with them.
- Irsay-Gordon, alongside sisters and co-owners Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson, doubled down on their support of Ballard and Steichen in a letter to fans released on Tuesday.
- "We know many fans want change now, and we hear, respect and understand the frustration," they wrote. "But make no mistake – the urgency to succeed and win has never been higher, and we believe we can compete for the division and a playoff berth next season and into the future."
Zoom in: With no leadership shakeup and no first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft after making a move to acquire Sauce Gardner, free agency and injury timelines are top priorities this offseason.
- Injuries to Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones, as well as Philip Rivers retiring for good, left the Colts' quarterback question unanswered as rookie Riley Leonard closed the season with a solid outing in his first NFL start.
- Jones — who has expressed a desire to return — is also a free agent along with key players like wide receiver Alec Pierce and offensive tackle Braden Smith.
- Gardner will look to return to the roster at 100% after calf injuries cut his time on the field short. So will cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner.
What's next: Ballard will share his thoughts on the Colts' future and his pending 10th season with the franchise at 11am today.
- Watch live on the team website, mobile app, Facebook, YouTube or X.
- The Colts' 2026 regular season opponents have also been finalized. The Colts will play eight home games and nine road games.