Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay insists he’s as frustrated as the team’s fans are about a fourth consecutive playoff absence.
About four hours after the Colts completed their season with a 26-23 overtime victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Irsay ended any speculation about possible offseason changes by announcing in a letter to fans that longtime general manager Chris Ballard and second-year coach Shane Steichen would return next season.
“I’ve been evaluating our entire operation, and I believe in Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen and our collective ability to make the improvements needed to take us to the next level in 2025,” the 65-year-old owner wrote. “I know fans who want an immediate change in leadership will be disappointed. That means we all have a lot to prove, so we’ll get back to work and keep doing what we can to earn your support and make you proud to be a Colts fan.”
The decision stops, for now, the speculation fueled by another disappointing finish that a major offseason overhaul could be coming to Indy in 2025. Indy finished 8-9, missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season.
Fans have been clamoring for changes, with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley taking most of the fire early this season. Steichen and Ballard came under increasing pressure following a 31-13 loss at Denver in Week 15 that damaged Indy’s postseason hopes and again two weeks later with a 45-33, playoff-eliminating loss at the woeful New York Giants.
Former Colts punter Pat McAfee took to Twitter and ESPN to say he would not be renewing his season tickets while questioning what kind of standards Colts players and coaches are held to.
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