Colts' controversial decision ahead of the offseason sparks outrage from their fans on social media
It took overtime, but the Indianapolis Colts finished the 2024 season on a high note with a win in Week 18 over their AFC South rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars. After the game, the waiting game began for Colts fans who awaited the official fate of the team's head coach Shane Steichen, and general manager Chris Ballard. […]
It took overtime, but the Indianapolis Colts finished the 2024 season on a high note with a win in Week 18 over their AFC South rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After the game, the waiting game began for Colts fans who awaited the official fate of the team's head coach Shane Steichen, and general manager Chris Ballard. Owner Jim Irsay didn't make them wait long, though, as he announced his official decision on his personal X account and the team's social media accounts. And it's safe to say the fan base was not pleased.
Jim Irsay announced that the Colts will not be firing Chris Ballard or Shane Steichen
"Dear Colts fans:
As we close out this season I can't tell you how disappointed I am that we failed to win the AFC South and earn a playoff appearance.
There is a high standard in this city for our team and anyone who steps on the field wearing the horseshoe. The expectation is to win our division and compete for championships. Just being on the doorstep of the playoffs is not the standard I expect, not what you deserve. We understand that and always accept the challenge.
Believe me I know you share my impatience and frustration. I know you invest your time, energy and money into the Colts every year. More than anything, we want to reward you with division titles and playoff runs, and we've fallen short in the most painful ways possible.
But things evolve quickly in the NFL from week to week and season to seasons, so I will never stop being optimistic that this team can make the next step!
I've been evaluating our entire operation, and I believe in Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen and our collective ability to make the improvements needed to take us to the next level in 2025.
I know fans who want an immediate change in leadership will be disappointed. That means we have a lot to prove, so we'll get back to work and keep doing what we can to earn your support and make you proud to be a Colts fan."
Sincerely,
Jim Irsay
Owner & CEO
In the last few weeks, there's been speculation surrounding the Colts and the potential for them to move on from head coach Shane Steichen and/or general manager Chris Ballard.
But even after the team lost in Week 17 to the New York Giants and ultimately eliminated themselves from the AFC playoffs, Irsay chose to retain both. The Colts will now enter year nine with Chris Ballard as their GM and year three with Shane Steichen as their head coach.
While fans seemed split on what Steichen's fate should be, the growing majority of Colts fans seemed to be on the same page about Ballard. That being for the Colts to finally fire him after his eighth year. And as you read above, that dream didn't come to fruition for most Colts' fans.
We now know that the change fans desire won't happen ahead of the 2025 season. Irsay elected to bring both back for next season, which seems to point to the trio of Ballard, Steichen, and Anthony Richardson have one more shot to prove they deserve to lead the team heading into the future. But another season like this one will likely be the end of the road for all three.
With this news now officially out, let's take a look at a couple of responses from the fan base, along with thoughts from a former player.
Checking the temperature of the fan base on the 2025 season and how Chris Ballard could win them back
Fans wanted Ballard gone more than any other move ahead of this offseason. So, with him still in control of the reigns, you can imagine the level of disappointment spreading throughout the fan base. This got me thinking about what Ballard could possibly do this off-season to flip the negative outlook fans currently have for the 2025 season. See the results of the poll in the X post below.
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Latest 2025 NFL mock draft has the Colts landing a player receiving comparisons to an NFL All-Pro defender
The Indianapolis Colts and their fans are still dealing with all the emotions that came with seeing their playoff chances go up in smoke after their Week 17 loss to the New York Giants. Even though one game remains, the team seems to have nothing to play for. This, combined with starting quarterback Anthony Richardson's already-ruled-out […]
