Lou Anarumo's Indianapolis Colts' defense is breaking records in 2026, but in the worst kind of way. Through two games, the team has allowed 1,029 yards, one of the biggest numbers ever in the NFL. But Anarumo's squad didn't just break the former Indianapolis record; they obliterated it. The team might need to evaluate Anarumo's job status.
To be fair, one of the previous high marks was the 1976 Seattle Seahawks, who allowed 884 yards. Of note, that was Seattle's first-year of existence as a franchise. The Colts and their DC don't have the same excuse for being new.
The defense is letting icons relive their best days, too. In Week 2, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught nine passes for 101 yards, his most since October 2023. Kelce had so much space to catch passes that he could often catch a short one with plenty of time to turn around and run before anyone touched him.
Lou Anarumo continues to find failure with the Indianapolis Colts
Should an opposing offense having success against Anarumo surprise anyone? Not really. He is now in his ninth season as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, and in just one season (2022 with the Cincinnati Bengals), he had a team that was in the top half of the league in yards allowed and points given up. Even the 2022 team was barely in the top half and ranked 16th in yards allowed.
That is too many years and too large of a sample size to think Anarumo's players are the reason for the statistical awfulness. At this point, the only real through-line is Lou Anarumo.
In each of the first two games of 2026, the defense has surrendered more than 500 yards and, over two weeks, has allowed 74 points. That's losing football.
Development of players has been a real challenge, too. 2025 second-round pick, defensive end Jaylahn Tuimoloau, hasn't accomplished anything. While general manager Chris Ballard raved about this year's second-round choice, linebacker CJ Allen, and claimed Allen would be the green dot on defense from the beginning of his career, he has rarely seen the field.
Most yards allowed in 1st 2 games in NFL history:
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) September 21, 2026
*1,035 - 1976 Raiders
*1,029 - 2026 Colts
*1,025 - 2017 Saints
*1,025 - 1967 Falcons
*1,023 - 2013 Redskins
*1,023 1978 Colts
*1,022 2019 Dolphins
Raiders and Saints earned playoff berths.
Indianapolis has tried to make the weak excuse that injuries have slowed Allen's progress; his practice absences all occurred before mid-August. Rookie safety AJ Haulcy has missed more practices, and all since mid-August, and he has played plenty. After being a healthy scratch in Week 1, Allen saw only six reps in Week 2.
The defense doesn't appear to be on the cusp of suddenly getting better. While cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner were dinged up in Week 2, they didn't miss the game completely, played during most of it, and all of Week 1. Elite defensive lineman DeForest Buckner has played, too, and he's been pretty good.
Is Anarumo a good defensive coordinator? The statistics don't bear that out. Head coach Shane Steichen and GM Ballard need to make the playoffs or potentially lose their jobs. Anarumo is currently making sure that Indianapolis will make massive organizational changes after the season.
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