The case for (and against) the Colts keeping Shane Steichen - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — Losses were mounting, and the future was increasingly uncertain.

As the Indianapolis Colts sputtered on their way to a seven-game losing streak to conclude their 2025 season, speculation turned to whether the team's head coach and others might be fired.

Meanwhile, in other cities, a different conversation was happening. Colts coach Shane Steichen was also a topic of discussion for other teams. Some had interest in speaking with him about their own potential job openings.

One team that filled an opening in the last hiring cycle had even identified Steichen as one of its top targets had he been fired, an executive from that club told ESPN.

Now, speculation about Steichen's job is again at the forefront following Monday's decision by the Colts to dismiss general manager Chris Ballard. Given the words of primary owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon after last season — she put Ballard and Steichen on notice and suggested this was a make-or-break year for both — it's natural to assume Steichen might be next to go.

But for now, he's still here. And there are many around the league who think he's a good coach in a bad situation. Some even believe one of the reasons Colts ownership hesitated to clean house after last season was a reluctance to part with Steichen.

With the firing of Ballard, the Colts have — for the time being — decoupled the pair. Whether Steichen gets a reprieve remains to be seen. But at minimum, he has a chance to redeem himself.

«I'm grateful for every day that I'm in this building, and I don't take that for granted,» he said Monday. «I've got to get these guys ready for the Vikings.»

Per usual, Irsay-Gordon will be closely assessing what's happening at Colts headquarters. She'll be at practices this week