Titans Request HC Interviews With Matt Nagy, Steve Spagnuolo, Vance Joseph, Lou Anarumo
JANUARY 6: Tennessee’s interview with Anarumo will take place tomorrow, per Rapoport. He and Pelissero add the Nagy interview will be on Thursday. Spagnuolo will also interview Thursday, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. Those three will be joined by recently unemployed staffers Kevin Stefanski and Raheem Morris as candidates to speak with the Titans at least once.
JANUARY 5: The Titans were the first team to fire their head coach during the 2025 season, moving on from Brian Callahan on Oct. 13. They replaced Callahan with interim choice Mike McCoy, but it didn’t lead to a turnaround. With the Titans’ offseason now underway after a 3-14 campaign, they’re working to find Callahan’s full-time successor.
Tennessee has requested interviews with two Chiefs assistants – offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo – as well as Broncos D-coordinator Vance Joseph and Colts DC Lou Anarumo (via reports from Jordan Schultz, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). The Titans are also expected to request a meeting with Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, per Schultz. Kingsbury’s name previously came up in connection to the Titans’ job on Sunday.
General manager Mike Borgonzi is leading the Titans’ search, though the next hire will come with owner Amy Adams Strunk‘s blessing. The fact that Borgonzi is considering Nagy and Spagnuolo for the job isn’t a surprise. Borgonzi worked in Kansas City’s front office from 2009-24, giving him plenty of familiarity with Nagy and Spagnuolo.
Both Nagy and Spagnuolo come with head coaching experience, but the former had far more success in his first stop. Nagy led the Bears to a 34-31 mark and two playoff berths from 2018-21. He earned Coach of the Year honors in his first season in Chicago.
Although Nagy doesn’t call the plays as Kansas City’s O-coordinator (that responsibility belongs to Andy Reid), his offensive background appeals to the Titans. Getting the most out of quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, will be among their next head coach’s most important tasks.
An acclaimed defensive assistant throughout his career, the 66-year-old Spagnulo has won four Super Bowls as a coordinator (three with the Chiefs, one with the Giants). However, his initial stint as a full-time head coach couldn’t have gone much worse. The then-St. Louis Rams went 10-38 under Spagnuolo from 2009-11. Spagnuolo later held the interim gig with the Giants after Ben McAdoo‘s firing in 2017. He went 1-3 in that brief run, but Spagnuolo’s stock has since gone way up during his brilliant seven-year reign atop the Chiefs’ defense.
Joseph, one of Spagnuolo’s fellow AFC West D-coordinators, is also a former head coach. While Joseph struggled to an 11-21 mark with the Broncos from 2015-16, his success since returning to Denver as an assistant in 2023 could lead to a second chance as a sideline general. Thanks largely to Joseph’s defense, which ranks first in sacks, second in yards and third in points, the 14-3 Broncos will enter the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Anarumo is the lone candidate in this group who has not worked as a head coach. Now 59, Anarumo was an assistant at various colleges before joining the Dolphins’ defensive staff in 2012. He earned his first D-coordinator job with the Bengals in 2019. Anarumo stayed in place for six years, a span in which the Bengals went to two AFC title games and a Super Bowl, but the team fired him after its defense finished 25th overall in 2024.
Anarumo quickly caught on with the Colts, who spiraled to an 8-9 mark after starting 8-2 in 2025. The Colts’ defense ended the year an underwhelming 21st in points and 23rd in yards, but injuries to DeForest Buckner, Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward took away three of Anarumo’s best players for significant periods of time. The Titans obviously aren’t holding that against him.
The Chiefs, Colts and Commanders failed to qualify for the playoffs, which means Nagy, Spagnulo, Anarumo and Kingsbury are eligible to interview as early as Tuesday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic relays. With the Broncos on a bye, Joseph will be available to discuss the Tennessee job on Wednesday. He’ll do so via Zoom, according to Mike Klis of 9News.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/5/26
We’ve got our first batch of reserve/futures contracts to pass along. These moves allow organizations to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players. Here are the latest transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- WR Chris Blair, P Trenton Gill, DB Tysheem Johnson, DT Ben Stille, OT Andrew Stueber, RB Carlos Washington Jr., DB A.J. Woods
Baltimore Ravens
- OT Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, WR Cornelius Johnson, DT David Olajiga, DB Amani Oruwariye, G Jared Penning, DB Marquise Robinson, LB Kaimon Rucker, FB Lucas Scott
Cincinnati Bengals
- LB Liam Anderson, C Jacob Bayer, RB Gary Brightwell, QB Sean Clifford, OT Andrew Coker, DT Howard Cross III, OT Javon Foster, WR Xavier Johnson, CB Jalen Kimber, CB Bralyn Lux, WR Jordan Moore, LB Antwaun Powell-Ryland, S Russ Yeast
Cleveland Browns
- TE Sal Cannella, G Jack Conley, WR Luke Floriea, RB Ahmani Marshall, OT Tyre Phillips, TE Caden Prieskorn
Dallas Cowboys
- WR ParrisCampbell, OL Nick Leverett
Detroit Lions
- OL Devin Cochran, WR Malik Cunningham, DE Ahmed Hassanein, TE Zach Horton, WR Jackson Meeks, OL Mason Miller, RB Jabari Small, DL Chris Smith, S Loren Strickland
Indianapolis Colts
- RB Ulysses Bentley IV, CB Wyett Ekeler, DE Viliami Fehoko Jr., G LaDarius Henderson, QB Seth Henigan, OT Bayron Matos, TE Sean McKeon, C Jimmy Morrissey, G Bill Murray, DE Durell Nchami, S Ben Nikkel, WR Coleman Owen, WR Eli Pancol, G Josh Sills, DT Tim Smith, S Trey Washington
Kansas City Chiefs
- LB Kam Arnold, DT Marcus Harris, WR Jimmy Holiday, OT Matt Waletzko
Las Vegas Raiders
- RB Chris Collier, G McClendon Curtis, LB Jamin Davis, WR Phillip Dorsett, DT Treven Ma’ae, OT Joshua Miles, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, WR Brenden Rice, G Layden Robinson, WR Justin Shorter, OL Laki Tasi, OT Dalton Wagner
Minnesota Vikings
- WR Joaquin Davis, OT Caleb Etienne, WR Dontae Fleming, S Kahlef Hailassie, WR Jeshaun Jones, TE Bryson Nesbit, G Vershon Lee, LB Josh Ross
New Orleans Saints
- CB Dalys Beanum, CB Beanie Bishop, WR Elijah Cooks, S Elliott Davison, DT Coziah Izzard, OT Easton Kilty, CB Jayden Price, OT Barry Wesley
New York Giants
- LB Swayze Bozeman, TE Tanner Conner, OLB Trace Ford, OL Reid Holskey, CB Patrick McMorris, CB Myles Purchase
New York Jets
- DE Paschal Ekeji, OL Liam Fornadel, LB Ochaun Mathis, WR Jamaal Pritchett, DB Samuel Womack
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DB Marcus Banks, WR Dennis Houston, NT Nash Hutmacher, LB Nick Jackson, DT Jayson Jones, C Ben Scott, LB Benton Whitley, DB Damarion Williams, RB Josh Williams, RB Owen Wright
Tennessee Titans
- DE David Ebuka Agoha, DB Keydrain Calligan, DT Timmy Horne, LB Nate Lynn, WR Hal Presley, NT Isaiah Raikes, WR Xavier Restrepo, LB Cam Riley, RB Blake Watson, G Clay Webb, TE Joel Wilson
Washington Commanders
- Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, DT Ricky Barber, WR Ja’Corey Brooks, CB Tre Hawkins, DE D.J. Johnson, WR Jacoby Jones, DE TJ Maguranyanga, S Rob McDaniel, OT Tim McKay, CB Darius Rush, CB Car’lin Vigers
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/5/26
Today’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Extended: DE Isaiah Foskey, LB Joe Giles-Harris, TE Cam Grandy, LB Shaka Heyward, S PJ Jules, WR Mitchell Tinsley
Denver Broncos
- Signed from practice squad: QB Sam Ehlinger
- Waived: OT Geron Christian, TE Marcedes Lewis
Detroit Lions
- Extended: OL Michael Niese, RB Jacob Saylors, CB Nick Whiteside
Indianapolis Colts
- Extended: LB Austin Ajiake
- Claimed off waivers (from Buccaneers): LB John Bullock
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed from practice squad: DE Larrell Murchison
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: CB Tre Flowers
San Francisco 49ers
- Practice window opened: WR Jacob Cowing
Each of the players who were extended today received deals that last through the 2026 campaign. These contracts differ from reserve/futures contracts, which don’t count towards the team’s active list until after the Super Bowl.
The Bengals were especially active with these extensions today, handing out deals to a handful of players who could be in line for larger roles next season. Journeyman Joe Giles-Harris got into a career-high 10 games for Cincinnati this season, compiling 27 tackles while serving as a key special teamer. Shaka Heyward (16 tackles) and PJ Jules (18 tackles) saw similar roles for the 2025 Bengals. Mitchell Tinsley got some run on the Cincy offense this season, hauling in eight catches for 116 yards in 17 games.
WR Alec Pierce Open To New Colts Deal
Alec Pierce looms as one of the top free agent options at the receiver position this spring. Remaining with the Colts appears to still be on the table, although an exploration of the market also seems to be approaching. 
“I’ve got great relationships here with this organization and the people in this building, this city,” Pierce said on Monday (via Nathan Brown of the Indy Star). “They’ve done so much for me so far, and I definitely would love to continue to be part of this organization, and we’ll see where things go.
“But I don’t know. I don’t know how this will all work out… I think I’ve got to see it all laid out in front of me. There’s so many different variables that go into that decision. I think it’s really hard to say what the priorities are, because you’re looking at 50 different variables at each place.”
While playing out his rookie contract, Pierce has emerged as one of the league’s premier deep threats. In each of the past two seasons, the former second-rounder has topped the NFL in yards per reception average. Pierce enjoyed a career year in 2025, setting a new personal best in catches (47) and yards (1,003).
Even after quarterback Daniel Jones suffered his Achilles tear, Pierce managed to have strong games at times down the stretch (including a two-touchdown performance yesterday). The Cincinnati product could be highly sought after during his first trip to free agency, especially if George Pickens winds up receiving the franchise tag from the Cowboys to prevent a departure. Whether it comes from the Colts or a new team, a major raise is forthcoming in Pierce’s case.
With Indianapolis having elected to retain head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard, attention will turn to the matter of re-signing Jones. The 2024 free agent signing enjoyed a stellar campaign prior to being injured, and he wants to stay in place. Keeping Jones in the fold will require more than the $14MM he signed for last spring, although the injury could complicate his value.
Pierce, 25, said continuing to play with Jones represents an attractive selling point in the case of re-signing with the Colts. Based on his comments, however, it would come as little surprise if he were to at least test the waters in March.
Philip Rivers Expected To Receive Coaching Interest
JANUARY 5: When speaking to the media on Monday (video link), Rivers confirmed he would be open to coaching at the NFL level. He added, however, that “there has been no substantive interest” to this point from teams in need of a new head coach. It remains to be seen if any formal interview requests will be made over the coming days.
JANUARY 4: Though he was deemed a healthy scratch for the Colts’ final game of the season, Philip Rivers‘ NFL comeback may not be over quite yet.
While the 44-year-old quarterback will retire from playing for a second time after the end of the regular season, he could stay in the league as a coach. Rivers is expected to receive interest from teams seeking new head coaches this offseason, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, with at least one interview expected.
Both NFL and college teams have considered Rivers for coaching jobs in the past, but he has generally been uninterested. That may have changed after his shocking return to the professional playing field this year.
Rivers’ appeal to NFL teams is obvious. He has already found success as a head coach, albeit as a high school level. His ability to come off the couch and start for the Colts showed that he is still in tune with the pro game. He has ties to a number of coaches across the league and could build a strong staff. Rivers’ age also makes him an old player but would also make him a young head coach. Being a former player would also help him connect with players, many of whom watched Rivers growing up. He had a reputation for taking huge hits in the pocket to get throws off; players who knew their coach gave it his all when he was on the field may be more inclined to do so as well.
The reasons why Rivers might consider a coaching job are just as clear. It would be a new challenge and a significant step up from high school ball. He would be able to stay in the NFL after clearly enjoying his comeback this year. But Rivers also has 11 kids. Taking an NFL coaching job would take him away from his family (or force them to uproot their lives and move).
A career in broadcasting may allow more flexibility; it certainly would not come with the burden and time constraints of being a head coach. He said on Up & Adams this week that he has “not ruled it out,” but noted that other opportunities haven’t “felt right.”
“The one thing I’ve loved since I was however old playing this game and being now as a coach is I’ve been able to have some impact on the score.” Rivers added. “You might be good at it, talking about it, but I have nothing to do with the outcome of this game.”
It’s hard to impact the outcome of the game from the broadcasting booth. But as a coach on the sidelines, everything he does would impact the outcome of the game.
Daniel Jones Interested In Re-Signing With Colts
The Giants paid dearly for overvaluing Daniel Jones‘ 2022 season. After declining Jones’ fifth-year option in 2022, the Giants gave him a $40MM-per-year deal minutes before the March 2023 franchise tag application deadline. This led to a Saquon Barkley franchise tag and 2024 exit.
Jones faceplanted on the second contract, struggling to both stay healthy or approach his previous play level. The Giants dropped Jones during the second season of the deal, but the former No. 6 overall pick found new life in Indianapolis. Given a one-year, $14MM accord to compete with Anthony Richardson, Jones overtook the erratic passer and had the Colts 8-2.
Before Jones’ Achilles tear, he had been playing through a fractured fibula. Both issues will factor into Jones’ free agency, but the Colts have interest in bringing him back. Jones is also interested in staying, though he did couch his statement on the topic ahead of his third free agency bid.
“I’d love to be back here,’’ Jones said, via Fox 59’s Mike Chappell. “I’ve enjoyed being here, working with the coaching staff here, the players. I think it’s a great organization and I’ve enjoyed being here. Obviously, there’s a business side to it and I understand that.”
Jones, 28, did well on the business side when he was last in a commanding leverage position. An asking price north of $45MM per year emerged — back when the $50MM-AAV QB club had not formed — and the Giants made him their top 2023 priority. It would not seem Jones would have as much leverage this time around, but the Colts traded their 2026 and ’27 first-round picks for Sauce Gardner at the deadline. Indianapolis did so while Jones was healthy, but the team now lacks key ammo to chase a younger option.
Carlie Irsay-Gordon announced the Colts would retain GM Chris Ballard and HC Shane Steichen, and Chappell notes “every indication” points to the duo being a package deal with Jones. Even with the Achilles tear, Jones should possess some leverage ahead of negotiations. The Colts are not believed to have begun those, but with Ballard receiving assurances he is staying, those should begin soon. Indianapolis’ issues finding a long-term signal-caller post-Andrew Luck also stand to help Jones in free agency.
Injury trouble is starting to pile up for Jones, though. He battled a significant neck issue in 2021 and suffered an ACL tear in 2023. The ACL tear came after more neck trouble sidelined him early in the 2023 season. With the fracture and Achilles tear now on Jones’ medical sheet, it would stand to reason the Colts could work out a team-friendlier deal. But the Vikings are expected to pursue a veteran QB to compete with J.J. McCarthy. Considering Minnesota made Jones an offer that was believed to be higher than what Indianapolis submitted, it will be interesting to see if the NFC North club is back in on the player it briefly employed to close the 2024 season.
Jones is expected back by training camp, and the Colts should be expected to re-sign him unless a major course change commences, ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder notes. Where Jones’ asking price settles will be one of this offseason’s key storylines.
Charvarius Ward Considering Retirement
In reeling in Charvarius Ward on a three-year deal worth up to $60MM last March, the Colts added one of the top cornerbacks on the free agent market. Ward looked like a worthwhile investment when he took the field in 2025, but three concussions limited him to just seven games.
With Ward still dealing with complications from his head injuries, he’s “seriously considering retirement,” Stephen Holder of ESPN reports. Ward’s father has already advised him to retire, according to Holder.
“With the brain injuries, you don’t really see it … until you get older sometimes,” said the 29-year-old Ward, who added that “the more I beat my brain up, the more it’ll affect me as I get older. So, I’ve got a lot of life to live out of football. I’ve got to think about my family and kids, too. So, we’ll see.”
Despite going undrafted out of Middle Tennessee State in 2018, a healthy version of Ward has been a consistently productive corner in the NFL. Ward divided his first seven seasons between Kansas City and San Francisco, where he combined for 89 starts and 10 interceptions. In 2023, his penultimate season with the 49ers, Ward notched a career-high five INTs and led the league with 23 passes defensed. He earned a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honors for his efforts.
Ward didn’t pull in any interceptions during a 12-game 2024, nor did he in his truncated first season with the Colts. Nevertheless, Pro Football Focus ranked Ward the NFL’s eighth-best corner out of 114 qualifiers in 2025. Ward held opposing quarterbacks to a 56.3% completion rate and an 87.6 passer rating on 48 targets, per Pro-Football-Reference. He finished the year with 25 tackles and seven PDs in seven games (all starts).
Ward was healthy for Indianapolis’ season-opening win over Miami, but he suffered his first concussion of the year in that game and sat out Week 2. After returning to play in three straight, Ward’s second concussion occurred during pregame warmups in Week 6. The Colts placed Ward on injured reserve on Oct. 18. He came back after a four-game absence on Nov. 23, but the Colts made a Nov. 4 trade deadline splash at corner in the meantime.
Then 7-2 and in the mix for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the Colts swung a massive deal with the Jets for Sauce Gardner, sending two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to New York. The hope was Ward and Gardner would form a shutdown duo for the Colts. That didn’t come to fruition, though, as both corners were rarely healthy at the same time in 2025. They only played together in two games.
Ward went down with his third concussion in a Week 14 loss to the Jaguars, forcing him to IR again, while a calf strain kept Gardner out of three contests. Those injuries played a part in the Colts’ stunning second-half collapse. Once 8-2, their year ended with seven straight losses and a sub-.500 finish.
Although the Colts have not qualified for the playoffs in any of head coach Shane Steichen‘s three seasons, he and general manager Chris Ballard will return in 2026. It’s up in the air whether they’ll have Ward, but with a $7.98MM roster bonus due in March, he acknowledged he’ll have to make a quick decision on his future.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
With the AFC North now settled (in rather dramatic fashion), the 2025 regular season is in the books. Following their decisions to shelve Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby, the Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick. After entering Week 17 in that slot, the Giants — as they did in 2024 — slipped out of the top two thanks to a late-season win.
Big Blue’s victories over the Raiders and Cowboys dropped them to No. 5, with today’s win allowing the Jets, Cardinals and Titans to leapfrog them. The Giants, who fell out of the No. 1 spot last year thanks to a Drew Lock-led win over the Colts in Week 17, will still hold a top-five pick — just not the one most expected two weeks ago. The Jets saw the Colts’ collapse, which dropped them from 8-2 to 8-9, give them two picks in the top 16.
The Cardinals started 2-0 but managed to close the season with 14 losses over their final 15 games. This will give Arizona a top-four pick for the third time in the Monti Ossenfort era. The GM traded out of that slot in 2023 before drafting Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024; Ossenfort is expected to be retained for a fourth season, providing another opportunity. This will be the third straight year the Titans will hold a top-seven pick.
The Buccaneers beat the Panthers on Saturday, but thanks to a three-way NFC South tie, Tampa Bay’s draft slot will land out of the playoff positions for the first time since 2020. Because Atlanta defeated New Orleans today, Carolina’s first-round pick will slide into the bottom 14 despite its 8-9 finish — one that secured playoff entry for the first time since 2017.
Although the draft order is not fully set due to the upcoming playoffs, the first 18 picks are. Here is how the order looks after Week 18:
- Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- New York Jets (3-14)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
- Tennessee Titans (3-14)
- New York Giants (4-13)
- Cleveland Browns (5-12)
- Washington Commanders (5-12)
- New Orleans Saints (6-11)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
- Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)
- Miami Dolphins (7-10)
- Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Detroit Lions (9-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
- Carolina Panthers (8-9)
- Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
- Buffalo Bills (12-5)
- Chicago Bears (11-6)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
- Houston Texans (12-5)
- Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)
- Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
- New England Patriots (14-3)
- Denver Broncos (14-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
Colts To Retain Shane Steichen, Chris Ballard For 2026
While some changes could be coming on the sidelines or in the front office relatively soon, the Colts will have a large degree of stability in both regards. Head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard are both safe, per a team announcement. 
This news comes as little surprise. Recent indications for both Ballard and Steichen have suggested they would be safe for 2026, and that is now officially the case. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon will conduct a press conference on Monday, per the announcement.
Ballard and Steichen were floated as hot seat occupants entering the campaign based on their inability to find success following the Anthony Richardson selection. Expectations were tempered early with Daniel Jones at the helm, but his surprising level of play helped guide Indianapolis to a record of 8-2 at the bye. A postseason berth – and potential the AFC’s top seed – seemed well within reach. The past two months have seen a dramatic decline, however.
Jones suffered a partial fibula fracture and then an Achilles tear, ending his promising season. Injuries have also dealt a notable blow on defense in general and the secondary in particular throughout 2025. That factor, coupled with a string of challenging matchups against playoff-bound opponents, contributed to a seven-game losing streak to finish the campaign. As ESPN’s Stephen Holder notes, the Colts have become the first time in league history to finish with a losing record despite being at least six games over .500 at one point.
That unwanted piece of history would add to the case against Ballard in particular. Holder confirms, however, that the late-season collapse did not play a major role in deciding the fate of the Colts’ HC-GM combo. The team will look for better luck on the health front and for dividends from moves such as the Sauce Gardner trade, one which leaves it without a first-round pick in 2026 or ’27. Retaining Jones will loom as a major priority.
Ballard has operated as Indianapolis’ general manager since 2017. In that span, the team has gone 70-78-1, reaching the postseason on only two occasions. With just one playoff victory to his name, Ballard drew increasing criticism for his reliance on retaining in-house player for much of his tenure. 2025 saw a departure in philosophy, with the Gardner blockbuster being preceded by multiple free agent splashes. In her first full offseason running the team, Irsay-Gordon has elected to allow Ballard to continue seeing out the vision set forth last spring.
Steichen was hired in 2023 after a strong run as an offensive coordinator with the Chargers and Eagles. The 40-year-old guided the team to a 9-8 finish in his first season in place. 2025 marks the second in a row with a record of 8-9, but that run of mediocrity and an absence of playoff action will not outweigh the impressive showings from Indianapolis early this year.
The AFC South features a Jaguars team which went 13-4 in 2025 and a Texans squad preparing for its third straight playoff appearance. The Titans will likely have increased expectations for next year, Cam Ward‘s second in the NFL. The Colts will rely on familiar faces as they look to replicate the success from this fall moving forward.
Colts Expected To Retain HC Shane Steichen
The Colts’ end-of-season slide out of the playoffs has stirred some speculation about the future of head coach Shane Steichen, but he is expected to be retained for the 2026 season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Losing the last seven games of the year is a black mark on the record of any head coach, but Steichen has a massive mitigating factor: injuries to his starting quarterback. Daniel Jones was playing on a fractured fibula in November and then tore his Achilles at the beginning of December.
Up to that point, he was – as surprising as it sounds – one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season and the Colts had one of the league’s best offenses. Jones still ranks among the league’s top-10 passers in yards per game, yards per attempt, completion rate, passer rating, and total QBR. It would be difficult for any team to withstand that loss.
Steichen’s success with Jones, a former top-10 pick turned reclamation project, is the Colts’ main reason to keep him. While Jones’ exact future is uncertain after his injury, the Colts appeared to be interested in re-signing him for 2026 and beyond. Since Steichen has brought out the best version of Jones, it would make little sense to move on now.
What’s more, the Colts have improved on both sides of the ball in each year of Steichen’s tenure, and 2025 was set to be his most successful season by far until Jones went down. Again, firing that head coach three years into the job feels like the wrong move.
Sill, Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon is somewhat of an unknown heading into the offseason. Similar to her late father, Jim Irsay, she has taken a hands-on approach with running the franchise. Just as some have questioned Steichen’s job security, even more have wondered if general manager Chris Ballard could be on his way out. The Colts have never won the AFC South in his nine years as general manager, but he may be given some grace for the same reason as Steichen. Ballard built what appeared to be a competitive team this year, including his aggressive trade deadline acquisition of Sauce Gardner. His ability to make that move is an indicator that his job was relatively secure, though the Colts’ late-season struggles have re-raised those questions.
Ultimately, Ballard and Steichen are expected to stay in Indianapolis, but both – especially Ballard – could find themselves on the hot seat next year.