Most NFL observers can agree that Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen knows his way around an offense. He was too successful even before coming to Indy for there to be much dispute about that fact.
What there could be a dispute about is whether Steichen is a good head coach or not. His record in three seasons with the Colts is the very example of mediocrity (he is 25-26, and each year the team has been either 9-8 or 8-9), but one might wonder why this is, given that he can come up with a fantastic offense.
The truth is that Indianapolis's defense hasn't been very good. Lou Anarumo was brought on board before last season to change the quality of the unit, but he was hamstrung by the same thing Steichen was: Too many good players got hurt, and the depth wasn't very good.
Better defensive health could keep Shane Steichen employed with the Indianapolis Colts
Entering the 2026 season, though, the defense is healthy and will have cornerback Sauce Gardner for a full season for the first time. Gardner was acquired in a trade in the middle of last season, but he missed four of eight possible games with a calf problem. He's fully ready to be great ahead of Week 1, and so is defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, who missed a lot of last year with a neck injury.
Steichen and Anarumo finally have the pieces they need to get the defense up to speed, and couple that with an offense that should be terrific now that quarterback Daniel Jones has returned from his own season-ending injury. Ultimately, the Indianapolis Colts have to be good this season, and if they miss the playoffs, Steichen could be fired along with general manager Chris Ballard.
That might all be avoided with better health, especially defensively. Last year, the team had to go a lot of the second half of the season without Buckner, Gardner, and fellow cornerback Charvarius Ward. Ward struggled with a back issue during training camp and the preseason, but the hope is that he is ready to go when the real games begin.
The Colts' defense doesn't just shape up as a good one, but arguably the best Anarumo has had in his long career as a defensive coordinator. He's a good DC, and with better players, he could do wonders. Likely well enough to help save Steichen's job.
The head coach is going to produce an offense that is effective and explosive, as long as players like Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor stay healthy. Even if wide receiver Alec Pierce is slow to fully return from offseason ankle surgery, Steichen is going to game plan well enough to have an offense worthy of making the playoffs.
The defense should be good enough to do that too. If that happens, Shane Steichen is going to stay employed with the Colts beyond 2026, and that could reap great benefits well into the future.
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