Tag: Shane Steichen

Colts to retain coach Shane Steichen, GM Chris Ballard

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard will return for the 2026 season, the team announced after Sunday’s season-closing 38-30 loss to the host Houston Texans.

Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon will hold a news conference on Monday.

Steichen, 40, has posted a record of 25-26 in three seasons. The Colts started the 2025 season with a mark of 8-2, but lost their final seven games. After leading the team to an 8-4 record, resurgent quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn right Achilles in Week 14 vs. Jacksonville and the Colts struggled to score as teams focused on slowing running back Jonathan Taylor.

Indianapolis brought 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement in the wake of Jones’ injury and the team went 0-3 in Rivers’ starts. Rookie Riley Leonard was the starting quarterback in the finale.

“We showed signs early in the season that were pretty darn good, and we had some unfortunate circumstances, but that’s part of the league,” Steichen said Sunday prior to the news that he was being retained. “You have to overcome those circumstances. That’s where you have to learn from and grow from (so) when you get in those situations, again, you learn from them, and you’re like, ‘Hey, here’s how we have to win now with the circumstances that we have.’”

Prior to his tenure with the Colts, Steichen was the offensive coordinator for both the Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22) and Los Angeles Chargers (2020).

Ballard will enter his 10th season with the franchise. He was hired in 2017 after serving as the Kansas City Chiefs’ director of football operations from 2015-16.

The Colts have not won a division title in Ballard’s tenure, posting a record of 70-78-1. They have made two playoff appearances (2018, 2020), winning once and dropping a pair.

–Field Level Media

Report: Philip Rivers likely to make final start on Sunday

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The comeback story of Philip Rivers likely will reach its final chapter on Sunday.

Rivers, 44, will start for the Indianapolis Colts (8-7) against the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) on Sunday, with NFL Network reporting he is expected to cede the starting spot to rookie Riley Leonard next week in the season finale in Houston against the Texans.

The 20-16 win by the Texans on Saturday over the Los Angeles Chargers eliminated the Colts from playoff contention.

Indianapolis started the season 8-2 behind starting quarterback Daniel Jones. They lost the next three games with Jones, and then on Dec. 14 at Jacksonville, the QB went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in a 36-19 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Colts called the retired Rivers, who has been coaching high school football in Alabama, and asked him to return.

Indianapolis lost his two starts, with Rivers completing 66.1% of his passes for 397 yards.

Per NFL Network, coach Shane Steichen is eager to take a look a Leonard in game that will be competitive but with no playoff positioning on the line. The change was not made for the Week 17 start against the Jaguars to give Leonard a full week to prepare.

–Field Level Media

Report: Colts to add QB Philip Rivers to active roster

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts plan to move newly signed quarterback Philip Rivers from the practice squad to th 53-man active roster, meaning he could play Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks, ESPN reported Saturday.

The 44-year-old Rivers has not played since January 2021, a long enough absence to become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was named a semifinalist in the 2026 class, but by being on the active roster for at least one game, he would not be eligible again for another five years from the time of his final game.

He came out of retirement this week as the Colts (8-5) find themselves in a dire situation at quarterback. Starter Daniel Jones is out for the season with an Achilles injury suffered last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and rookie backup Riley Leonard has a knee issue of his own. Veteran backup Brett Rypien also is in the organization.

Rivers spent the final season of his first career go-round with the Colts in 2020 following 16 seasons with the Chargers franchise. That season, he threw for more than 4,000 yards for the 12th time in 13 seasons, tossing 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the 11-5 squad.

Now a grandfather, Rivers has spent his time away from the NFL coaching an Alabama high school team and training draft prospects.

An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Rivers ranks seventh in NFL history with 63,440 passing yards and sixth with 421 touchdown passes.

Coach Shane Steichen, with whom Rivers has had a long working relationship, said Friday he wasn’t sure who would start against Seattle but that Rivers was “pretty impressive to watch” in practice.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen fist bumps Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts sticking with coach Shane Steichen, GM Chris Ballard

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts don’t plan to move on from Shane Steichen at coach and Chris Ballard at general manager, team owner Jim Irsay said in a statement on Sunday.

Irsay laid out Indianapolis’ future plans following a 26-23 overtime victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts finished the season at 8-9 and missed out on the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

“As we close out this season, I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that we failed to win the AFC South and earn a playoff appearance,” Irsay said in his statement. “There’s a high standard in this city for our team and anyone who steps on the field wearing the Horseshoe. The expectation is to win our division and compete for championships.

“Just being on the doorstep of the playoffs is not the standard I expect, nor what you deserve. We understand that and always accept the challenge. Believe me, I know you share my impatience and frustration. I know you invest your time, energy and money into the Colts every year. …

“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.”

Irsay acknowledged that fans who wanted a leadership change “will be disappointed” but said the team would “get back to work and keep doing what we can to earn your support and make you proud to be a Colts fan.”

Steichen, 39, just concluded his second season as the Colts’ coach and has guided Indianapolis to a 17-17 record.

Ballard, 55, has been general manager ever since the 2017 campaign.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) warms up Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson to start vs. Jets, rest of season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback carousel is turning back to Anthony Richardson.

Two weeks after Shane Steichen told reporters that Joe Flacco will serve as the team’s starting quarterback “going forward,” the head coach reversed course on Wednesday. Steichen tapped Richardson to be under center against the New York Jets on Sunday and for the remainder of the season.

Steichen said that while he talked to owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard, ultimately it was his decision to return Richardson to the starting role.

“We made it very clear to him that he’s our starting quarterback going forward.”

Steichen also said he was pleased with what he saw from Richardson over the last two weeks.

“It’s the attention to detail in everything he does,” Steichen said. “It’s got to be a higher standard. Over the last two weeks, he’s made strides in those areas.”

With Flacco at the controls, the Colts (4-6) saw their losing skid extend to three games following setbacks to the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. The 39-year-old committed six turnovers (four interceptions, two fumbles) in the last two contests.

Flacco was inserted into the starting lineup one week after Richardson completed only 10 of 32 passes (31.3 percent) for 175 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Oct. 27.

During the third quarter of that game, Richardson made the unusual move of taking himself out of the game in the middle of a Colts drive. The 22-year-old later explained that he needed a breather after scrambling on several plays.

Richardson, who missed Weeks 5 and 6 with an oblique injury, has completed only 44.4 percent of his passes for 958 yards with four TDs and seven interceptions in six games this season.

Drafted No. 4 overall in 2023 out of Florida, Richardson’s rookie season ended after just four games due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Flacco has completed 66.5 percent of his passes this season for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

Flacco is 104-85 as an NFL starter with the Baltimore Ravens (2008-18), Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020-22), Cleveland Browns (2023) and Colts. He has thrown for 45,103 yards with 254 TDs and 160 INTs. He was the MVP of Baltimore’s 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) against the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Gardner Minshew in the mix for Colts starting QB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to select a quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean that QB will be handed the keys to the offense immediately.

Coach Shane Steichen told NFL Network that newly signed Gardner Minshew will be given the chance to compete for the starting job.

“Right now, obviously, he’s coming in to just compete and be the best he can be, you know, and that’s where we’re going,” Steichen said Sunday. “That’s where we feel he’s at right now, and that’s his role right now.”

The Jaguars selected Minshew in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he started 20 games over two seasons, tallying a 7-13 record. He was the backup to Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia the past two seasons, going 1-3 in spot appearances.

Minshew, 26, has completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 6,632 yards, with 44 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 32 career games (24 starts).

Steichen, most recently the offensive coordinator with the Eagles, got to know Minshew in Philadelphia.

“Just the way he sees the game and processes the game,” Steichen said of Minshew. “It’s like a coach you know, he sees it really well. He was great. Every time he had a chance to go and play, he played well for us and obviously had a big year in Jacksonville his rookie year. Just a tremendous person, loves the game of football, loves the Xs and Os, so really fortunate to have him with us.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen looks on during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Colts officially hire Shane Steichen as head coach

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The Indianapolis Colts named Shane Steichen their new head coach on Tuesday.

The former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator emerged from an exhaustive five-week search that included more than a dozen candidates.

It also continues a meteoric ascent for Steichen, 37, who rose from a quality control coach in 2015 to becoming one of 32 head coaches in the NFL.

Steichen takes over for interim coach Jeff Saturday, who went 1-7 after replacing the fired Frank Reich. The other finalists reportedly included Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Green Bay Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia and Saturday.

A press conference to introduce Steichen was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, along with owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard.

Steichen’s Eagles lost 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Super Bowl LVII. His Jalen Hurts-led offense put up 417 total yards in the contest.

The Philadelphia offense ranked No. 3 in both total offense and scoring offense during the regular season.

The Colts finished 4-12-1 and the Indianapolis offense ranked 27th in scoring offense and 30th in total offense.

Steichen joined the Eagles in 2021. He previously held a variety of coaching roles with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and was offensive coordinator for one season (2020).

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen looks on during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Colts to finalize deal with Shane Steichen on Monday

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Fresh off the Super Bowl LVII loss, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is flying to Indianapolis on Monday to finalize a deal with the Colts to become their new head coach, ESPN reported.

The report comes hours after the Eagles lost 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Steichen’s offense also put up 417 total yards in a losing effort.

Steichen would replace Frank Reich and Jeff Saturday.

The Colts notified the other candidates Sunday morning that they had chosen to go in another direction. The final candidates were Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Green Bay Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia and Saturday, NFL Network reported.

Saturday went 1-7 as interim head coach.

The Eagles’ offense ranked first in the league in rushing touchdowns, and the team’s 477 points scored ranked second only to the Chiefs.

Steichen, 37, joined the Eagles in 2021. He previously held a variety of coaching roles with the Los Angeles Chargers and was offensive coordinator for one season (2020).

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen looks on during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles OC Shane Steichen to meet with Colts again

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Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen will have a second interview with the Indianapolis Colts about their head coaching vacancy, ESPN reported Sunday.

Steichen met remotely with the Colts on Jan. 14. A second interview would likely come next week, per the report.

The Eagles, who ranked No. 3 in the NFL in scoring and total offense in the regular season, host the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.

Steichen, 37, previously worked with former Colts head coach Frank Reich, now the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Indianapolis fired Reich after a 3-5-1 start this season and a 40-33-1 mark since 2018. Interim coach Jeff Saturday went 1-7 after replacing Reich.

When Reich was offensive coordinator for the then-San Diego Chargers from 2014-15, Steichen was his offensive quality control coach.

Steichen was the quarterbacks coach (2016-19) and offensive coordinator (2020) for the Chargers before taking the job on Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni’s staff in 2021.

Steichen also interviewed for the openings with the Panthers and Houston Texans, who reportedly are focused on 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.

Other candidates for the job in Indianapolis include Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Saturday and Ryans.

–Field Level Media

Aug 30, 2020; Los Angeles, California, United States; Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Shane Steichen during training camp at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles to name Shane Steichen as offensive coordinator

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The Philadelphia Eagles are hiring Shane Steichen, who coached rookie quarterback Justin Herbert to a record season with the Los Angeles Chargers, as their offensive coordinator, NFL Network reported Monday.

Steichen and new Eagles coach Nick Sirianni spent four seasons together as assistant coaches with the Chargers in the mid-2010s.

In Philadelphia, the 35-year-old Steichen will continue his quick rise in the NFL coaching ranks. His first NFL job was in 2013 as a quality control coach with the Cleveland Browns. He spent the next two seasons with the Chargers in the same role, then was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2016. He spent last season as offensive coordinator.

Steichen designed an offense that helped Herbert break numerous NFL rookie passing records in 2020, including yards (4,336), touchdowns (31) and completions (396).

Philadelphia will be looking to rebuild an offense that finished 24th in yards per game (334.6), 26th in points (20.9) and 28th in passing yards (207.9) behind Carson Wentz and rookie Jalen Hurts.

Former Eagles coach Doug Pederson did not employ an offensive coordinator last season.

–Field Level Media