The Indianapolis Colts' dreadful 2-4 start to the 2026 season put head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard under a microscope, with every move being scrutinized in a make-or-break season. For at least one member of this dynamic duo, the "break" moment has arrived.
After a loss to a previously winless Tennessee Titans team that didn't even look like they could tie their shoes under Robert Saleh (at home, mind you), Indy fired Ballard midway through his 10th season as GM. Overall, Ballard went 72-82-1 in Indianapolis, making the playoffs just twice and winning one playoff game.
Steichen is operating like a coach who knows that he is on a knife edge. With the Colts already changing one-half of their power structure after 2026 has gone so wrong, it would only make logical sense for Steichen to eventually bite the dust as well, barring a massive change in the team's fortunes.
Colts' Chris Ballard firing could lead to Shane Steichen also leaving
To give Steichen a bit of grace, Ballard continuously dug the hole he was standing in deeper. The Sauce Gardner trade depleted this team of present (Adonai Mitchell) and future (multiple first-round picks) assets. With a revolving door at quarterback, including the all-time mega bust Anthony Richardson has appeared to be, Steichen was coaching with one hand tied behind his back.
However, he has not covered himself in glory. His three seasons prior to 2026 featured one 9-8 finish and a pair of 8-9 campaigns. That is almost the dictionary definition of mediocrity, which is not the standard for a franchise that has spent more time than it is used to outside of the AFC's elite.
Richardson's selection was a problem, and Daniel Jones turned into a pumpkin the second the ink dried on his contract extension, but Steichen assuredly had some level of responsibility in approving both of those moves. The defense is way too volatile year-to-year, and the team has repeatedly come up short in big games.
Shane Steichen is part of the reason the Indianapolis Colts are struggling
In Steichen's tenure, the division rival Houston Texans have built one of the best top-down rosters in the league, all while the Jacksonville Jaguars have started off 17-6 under Liam Coen. Even the Titans, who looked like a tire fire before Week 6, showed the gap between them and Steichen's Colts isn't that far behind.
Rather than keeping the head coach and GM separate, tying them at the hip and firing both of them at the same time could be the secret sauce that ensures a clean turning of the page from one regime to the next.
Steichen has put enough on tape to warrant at least an offensive coordinator job in 2027 or a coaching gig, perhaps with a team that has a more established quarterback. After all, he worked wonders with Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts. As an overseer of everything, however, both he and Ballard don't look quite up to the task.
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