The Indianapolis Colts’ crisis once again resurfaced after their ugly 45-33 loss against the terrible Giants team. The Giants were 2-13 and had lost a franchise-record 10 straight games entering the game. But the Colts allowed 45 points to the team that averaged just 14.3 points per game—more than 3 times the average. With that, the Colts (7-9) failed to make the playoffs since 2020, the organization’s longest drought in three decades. No wonder, their coach Shane Steichen is on the line of fire. After all, it was a continuation of last year’s misery for him.

Last season, Steichen’s first as Indianapolis coach, the Colts also fell short, losing to the Houston Texans in the final week of the season to miss the playoffs. “It was as disappointing as it gets,” Steichen said of the setback against the Giants. “As the leader of a football team, shoot, I always say I’ve got to be better, we’ve all got to be better. That’s a group effort, everyone’s got to chip in and do their part, so stuff like that doesn’t happen.” So, after all that, is he concerned about his job?

“I control what I can control,” was Steichen’s blunt reply. A handful of current Colts leaders have acknowledged there have been issues with accountability this season. Questions are being raised about the team’s culture, work ethic, and accountability, specifically when players are late for meetings, late for medical treatment, or fail to prepare properly. In light of all these, Sportscaster Albert Breer had sharp insights to share about Shane Steichen’s future and hinted at Jim Irsay’s next big move.

On The Rich Eisen Show, Breer’s suggested, “General manager might be a question there rather than coach.” He suggested that his sources tell him the management likes the HC. “I do think they really like Shane Steichen,” Breer stated. He also praised the GM’s stint at the Colts. However, he thinks that Chris Ballard has been there long enough, and now the time has come for him to bid adieu. “I think Chris Ballard on balance has done a pretty good job there but had eight years and they’ve only been in the playoffs twice,” Breer said.

Steichen now needs to regroup and rebuild this team if given the chance. The team’s struggles have been a mix of poor game management and a lack of accountability in the locker room. While Anthony Richardson showed flashes of brilliance, his development couldn’t cover for crumbling team culture. And Steichen’s 16-17 record doesn’t paint a good picture.

Top Comment by clifford faulk

Coach stricken didn’t form his own staff. The gm. And def. Coach needs to go. And the colts needs the...more

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“It was as disappointing as it gets,” Steichen admitted post-game. “As the leader of a football team, shoot, I always say I’ve got to be better; we’ve all got to be better. It’s a group effort. Everyone’s got to chip in and do their part so stuff like that doesn’t happen.” The Colts fell behind, 21-6, in the first half to the Giants, who entered the game 0-8 at home. The Colts rallied to cut the Giants’ lead to two points in the fourth quarter twice, but both times the Giants responded with touchdowns.

Joe Flacco started at quarterback for the injured Anthony Richardson and threw for 330 yards and two scores, but he also threw two picks. One came on the Colts’ opening drive; the other in the closing minutes when it was still a one-score game, ending their comeback chances. But it was hardly all on the offense.

The Colts defense allowed Giants QB Drew Lock to account for five TDs and no turnovers, as Malik Nabers made mincemeat of the Colts’ secondary. What was even more shocking was that the Colts couldn’t pressure Lock or sack him even once. Rounding out the terrible performance on special teams, the Colts also missed a field-goal try and allowed a 100-yard kickoff return TD on the first play of the third quarter. The issues, however, went beyond the field.

Criticism from team leaders like Kenny Moore II and DeForest Buckner painted a bleak picture of the locker room. Both cited a lack of urgency and attention to detail as recurring problems. “I don’t think everybody is working as hard as possible. I’m not the type to sugarcoat it; honestly, I don’t think the urgency is there. I don’t think the details are there. I don’t think the effort is there, and I don’t see everything correlating from the meetings to practice to the games, and it shows,” Moore bluntly stated. This set the stage for Irsay’s potential overhaul of the team’s leadership.

Jim Irsay’s future plans with Steichen

The issues aren’t new. Steichen himself acknowledged the need to raise the standard, but the locker room atmosphere continued to deteriorate. However, Breer speculates the management might give Shane more responsibility moving into the next season. Perhaps a chance to choose the next GM according to his preference.

“Do they look at it and say okay, Shane Steichen, you can bring in your own guy,” Breer said. “Maybe somebody like Ian Cunningham from Chicago who you were with in Philadelphia, and we build it around the two of you.” Breer hinted that Irsay could embrace a collaborative approach. But would Ian Cunningham be a good fit?

The Athletic’s “40 under 40” Ian Cunningham rose to fame in the NFL at a very young age. And it’s a testament to his sharp eye for talent and strong football IQ. He started his career as an undrafted free agent but quickly pivoted to the front office. He honed his skills with the Ravens and Eagles.

Both teams registered Super Bowl wins during his tenure. His leadership quality has culminated in his current position as assistant general manager with the Chicago Bears. He has had interviews for GM roles with the Cardinals, Titans, and Chargers. And it’s only a matter of time before he secures a top job.

Breer believes Irsay is committed to rebuilding from the ground up as the Colts’ playoff drought extends to four seasons. However, fixing the Colts’ issues goes beyond personnel changes. A complete cultural reset is needed. As RB Jonathan Taylor pointed out, “Year in and year out, that’s their standard… ‘Hey, we’re going to fight, scratch and claw to make sure every year, that’s the standard you uphold’.”