Here's how fans and analysts are reacting to THAT Jim Irsay announcement

After defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in their final game of the season, the Indianapolis Colts, it was expected that drastic changes were coming. While head coach Shane Steichen was said to be staying, the rumor mill seemed certain that general manager Chris Ballard would be fired. Black Monday - the day when teams make coaching changes at the end of the season - was highly anticipated by fans, who were eager to see changes made after another season in turmoil.

Instead, owner Jim Irsay made an announcement shortly after the game ended, and it was shocking: he would not be firing Ballard or Steichen. Both would be staying.

Unsurprisingly, fans and analysts alike reacted with dismay.

Analysts largely expressed surprise over the decision:

At the Athletic, James Boyd wrote that Irsay was content to continue the Colts' cycle of mediocrity.

"Irsay’s continued belief in his current regime, particularly in Ballard, will certainly frustrate many Colts fans, but his steadfastness shouldn’t come as a surprise. Irsay has given Ballard, whose contract runs through the 2026 season, chance after chance regardless of his shortcomings. It’s fair to say most team owners likely would’ve fired a GM with a 62-69-1 record across eight seasons, especially when those eight seasons include just two playoff berths, one postseason win — six seasons ago — and zero AFC South titles."

James Boyd

Gregg Doyel at the IndyStar was dismayed by Irsay's decision.

"The Colts’ 17th and final game had come to its merciful conclusion – you could say the same for their 2024 NFL season – and now, after this 26-23 overtime win Sunday against the Jaguars, we were left to wonder: Who gets to stay, and who has to go? The list of candidates was long, starting with Colts general manager Chris Ballard, coach Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, then pivoting immediately to young franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson, then toward players like apathetic rookie receiver Adonai Mitchell.

Those were questions for another day, though, because Colts Jim Irsay would need to think long and hard and then consult Jeff Saturday or his Ouija board and then WAIT A MINUTE WHAT?

Jim Irsay has already decided … what?

He’s bringing back Chris Ballard. Bringing back Shane Steichen. Irsay said those things in a pair of statements Sunday night, once to the general public on social media, the other in an email to season-ticket holders."

Gregg Doyel

Nate Atkins, also with the IndyStar, also criticized the lack of success the Colts have had under Ballard.

"Far too often, the Colts have only gotten to the doorstep under Ballard.

Indianapolis has finished a game or two out of the playoffs three times during Ballard’s tenure, suffering painful near-misses in 2021 and 2023, and the Colts were the AFC’s lowest-seeded team in each of the franchise’s two playoff appearances during his tenure."

Nate Atkins

While fans expressed anger: