Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, made waves after the final game of the season when he announced that he would be keeping general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen, despite rumors that both were in danger of losing their jobs. But, in a move that was likely made to pacify angry fans and analysts, the Colts organization announced Monday evening that they had fired someone after all: defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
Monday morning, Steichen remained vague about what his plans were regarding Bradley; while Irsay's message specifically mentioned retaining Ballard and Steichen, there was no mention made of his defensive coordinator. Many surmised that Bradley would be the sacrificial lamb placed on the chopping block, and they were right.
Bradley's contract was up at the end of this season, and the Colts released a statement announcing that they had parted ways. "I'm appreciative of Gus and the commitment he made to the Colts," Steichen said. "He is a man of great character, and I have the utmost respect for him. I felt like we needed to move in a different direction. I wish Gus and his family all the best moving forward."
Not many fans will be sad to see Bradley go; his beleaguered defense has been one of the worst in the league, despite having talented players like DeForest Buckner, Zaire Franklin, and E.J. Speed on the roster. There have been calls for Bradley to lose his job all season, largely due to his inability to make adjustments. Bradley's leadership and vision for the defense was to do the same thing over and over again this season, even as almost every team they faced - even bad teams - were able to run all over them... literally. The defense has floated near the bottom of the league in virtually every measure throughout Bradley's three years with the Colts.
Still, while firing Bradley was not the wrong move to make, it's too little, too late. The Colts' problems are much bigger than just their defensive coordinator, and with Ballard and Steichen continuing to be in charge, the amount of change that will likely happen with Bradley's firing is negligible.