Is Colts HC Shane Steichen on the Hot Seat?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paul White | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 3:31 PM ET

By all accounts, the Indianapolis Colts are entering a pivotal season for the organization.

General manager Chris Ballard has had an underwhelming tenure and is now overseeing his third head coach in Shane Steichen who also hasn’t had much success with the team.

Lauded as an offensive guru and quarterback whisperer after transforming the Philadelphia Eagles offense in 2021 and 2022, the Colts hired him to groom the quarterback of the future and hopefully improve the offense.

While life hasn’t been easy on him with prospective franchise centerpiece Anthony Richardson constantly sidelined with injuries and developing at a snail’s pace, Indianapolis is still banking on more productivity from Steichen.

One of his first moves as head coach was hitching his wagon to the former Florida star, so his Indianapolis future likely depends largely on Richardson’s development.

One could argue that the Colts have overachieved during Steichen’s time with the team, but the organization wants to see a rise from mediocrity.

Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton recently did a temperature check on every NFL head coach’s seat and Steichen’s wasn’t labeled as hot, but it’s trending that way.

Moton believes there may be some frustration within the organization because the former Eagles offensive coordinator was labeled as an offensive specialist, and that’s the side of the ball that has held Indianapolis back.

The team signed much maligned quarterback Daniel Jones this offseason to compete with Richardson, so that should tell you owner Jim Irsay’s patience is running thin.

It may not be the best quarterback room in the league, but the Colts are expecting at least marginal improvement.

If it never comes, then it could spell the end of the Ballard-Steichen partnership.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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