Twice in nine Chris Ballard seasons have the Indianapolis Colts made the playoffs. In none of those years has the team won the AFC South. That hasn't happened since 2014. Every other team in the division has taken the division title at least twice.
In other words, things need to change, and they appeared to be changing through the first half of the 2025 season. Head coach Shane Steichen's team was 7-1 before injuries hit, and the competition got tougher. Now, after the Tennessee Titans move on Tuesday, the AFC South competition just got tougher for the foreseeable future.
Now-former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has been reported by various outlets to have been hired as the new head coach of the Titans. Saleh has been a head coach before, so he has experience in that department, but he is unquestionably a great defensive coach. He should instantly fix Tennessee in that area.
Indianapolis Colts will be facing Robert Saleh as head coach of the Tennessee Titans
The Titans should also be set at quarterback for a long time. Cam Ward was inconsistent as a rookie this season, but most rookies are. He also didn't have a lot of talent around him, but that will probably change soon. Tennessee is set to have 11 draft picks in 2026, including the fourth overall choice.
In other words, Saleh is joining a situation where he already has a good quarterback on a rookie deal who plays on a team with a lot of draft capital, and overall, the team should have a bright future. Assuming Saleh gets the defense better in 2026, the offense should be efficient as well. The biggest decision might be who to hire as the offensive coordinator.
None of this is to say that the Colts can't win the AFC South next year. The division isn't easy. The Jacksonville Jaguars have improved under Liam Coen, and the Houston Texans are going to continue to be difficult with DeMeco Ryans leading a fantastic defense. The Titans could look a lot like the Texans in terms of defensive excellence.
But Shane Steichen is a well-respected offensive mind, and he had that side of the ball humming through the first half of 2025. If Indianapolis' offense stays healthier next season, Steichen should be able to mold the unit into a great one. The defense might also be better if it can stay healthier.
Basically, with the hire of Robert Saleh by the Titans, the AFC South is shaping up to be one of the better divisions in the league. The Indianapolis Colts, though, have just as good a chance to win the division as any other team next year, as long as Steichen's offense can defeat Saleh's defense.