A familiar face from the Colts’ past is joining one of the team’s AFC South rivals ahead of the 2026 season

The Colts will have to face one of their former coaches twice a year, as he has chosen to join one of their AFC South rivals.

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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The Indianapolis Colts didn’t make a head coaching change, but they did see their AFC South rivals hire a new head coach this offseason.

The Tennessee Titans ended up hiring San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as the franchise’s new head coach. Since then, he’s been hard at work building the Titans’ coaching staff.

One of the hires includes a former Colts coach who was let go following the 2024 season. Former Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is now taking the same role in Tennessee on Saleh’s staff. 

Gus Bradley hired as the Titans defensive coordinator

Bradley joined the Colts as their defensive coordinator in 2022, which was Frank Reich’s final season. He was then retained after the team hired Shane Steichen, as the two previously worked together with the Los Angeles Chargers.

He spent two years as Stiechen’s DC before the team decided it was time to move in a new direction heading into the 2025 season, leading the team to hire Lou Anarumo. Bradley spent the year away with the 49ers as a member of Saleh’s staff, and now he follows him back into the AFC South.

Colts fans rejoiced hearing this news, as they grew to dislike Bradley’s passive and outdated defensive scheme. However, Saleh has made it known that he intends to be the defensive playcaller for Tennessee. 

Some may not realize it, but Saleh uses a very similar defensive system, just tends to be a bit more aggressive overall. We will have to wait and see what Bradley’s responsibilities will be, but the Colts know they will be going head-to-head with their former coach twice a year for the foreseeable future.

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