As many have speculated and will continue to do so, to save their jobs, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen need the Indianapolis Colts to make the playoffs this season. Not doing so would likely have brutal consequences for both.
But Indy is surely due. Last year started exceedingly well, and the team was 7-1 and sitting in the spot for the top seed in the AFC. But injuries started taking a toll, and the schedule got much tougher for Indianapolis. By the end, the team was 8-9 and missing the playoffs once again, just like every season since 2020.
Reasons for hope in 2026 exist, though, and Steichen is dropping reasons for why. As he recently told WRTV in Indy, the rookies might make the difference between success and failure in the new season.
Shane Steichen is giving Indianapolis Colts fans reasons for hope
Steichen said, "From the rookie class, been very pleased with CJ Allen and A.J. Haulcy. They've came in professional, in early, out late, made a ton of plays in the spring, but excited to get the pads on with those guys...(Allen's) toughness, his communication, the way he runs and tackles, very physical at the point of attack when he goes to make plays. So I'm looking forward to seeing that on display this year."
Allen's communication skills could especially be key. The linebacker might be tasked with being the green dot on defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's scheme. Anarumo has said he has never had a rookie be the one to let the rest of the defense know what the play-call is, but Allen's football IQ is extremely high.
Moreover, the Georgia product also has the skills that the Indianapolis Colts have been lacking in the last several seasons from their off-ball linebackers. CJ Allen is very good in pass coverage, as well as run defense, and bringing down ball-carriers. In recent years, Indy's inside LBs have been a hole in the middle of the defense when trying to cover receivers.
A.J. Haulcy should also be much better in pass coverage than the player he is likely replacing, Nick Cross. Cross was good against the run, but as his new team, the Washington Commanders, will find out, the safety struggles in coverage. Haulcy is elite in that area.
Assuming Steichen can get the offense to operate close to the same kind of efficiency it had at the beginning of last season, and the defense is better with the additions of Allen and Haulcy, plus better health from Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward, and DeForest Buckner, the Colts could very well make the postseason in 2026, saving the jobs of Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen.
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