The 2023 NFL season is over for the Indianapolis Colts and we’ve graded the rookie class for their performances and the free agency class. It’s now time to hand out some staff grades for the 2023 season. Overall, I thought many of the coaches had a good year. Anytime you start from scratch with a new staff and a large draft class there are bound to be some growing pains.
Let’s break it down.
Head coach Shane Steichen
This may have been the best hire of last year’s coaching cycle along with DeMeco Ryans in Houston. Both coaches have made an instant impact with their respective franchises. Shane Steichen has turned a four-win squad into a nine-win squad. This team also should have won the Cleveland game as well and let other games slip away (LA Rams and NO Saints) during the season.
Steichen has put that winning taste back in the mouth of this team but also with the fanbase. He is not afraid to be aggressive when most won’t and has brought a level of accountability we didn’t see in prior regimes. He still has some play calling and game management issues to work through but as a rookie head coach this will improve.
Grade: A-