The Indianapolis Colts must improve their tackling under new DC Lou Anarumo

The new-look Colts defense must improve in multiple areas, though this one stands above the rest.

The Indianapolis Colts defense of the past few seasons has certainly been something left to be desired. With a surplus of blown assignments, converted 3rd and long scenarios, and big plays surrendered to go around, no defensive miscue has shined brighter than the unit’s collective tackling (or lack thereof).

While those initial three aspects of any given down are unacceptable, the team’s inability to rally to the football under now-former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley ultimately resulted in the aforementioned slew of mishaps.

Under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Indy must improve its collective tackling chops, and that starts with a few things: a culture overhaul, going back to the basics and focusing on fundamentals, and most importantly, general manager Chris Ballard must provide Anarumo and Co. with a strong stable of resources — especially if the organization aims to rebound into a playoff team as early as next season.

Anarumo’s firing from Cincinnati seemed like a given to some fans who watched the 2024 Bengals defense; however, players (both current and former), coaches, and media members alike have all suggested that his defense’s recent struggles sprouted from botched personnel decisions in that timeframe.

The biggest example of this comes from the Kelce brothers on their widely popular podcast, New Heights, where they discuss the firing in question:

“I don’t know what the f—k is going on over there,” said Travis. “That was a wild, wild move I did not see coming because I thought that, from the outside, their defense was playing really f—king good toward the end of the year.”

“They definitely played better,” said Jason in response. “I don’t think they had the horses on defense that they’ve had in the past, and Lou got handcuffed. I don’t know that it made sense. He’s proven how good of a defensive coordinator he is with good players.”

“I’m with you, dude. I’m with ya. I’ve always respected the hell out of him,” added Travis.

While these are just the opinions of two NFL legends, this sentiment appears to be the overall consensus for why Anarumo was let go. Regardless, Anarumo’s fresh start in Indianapolis can only go as far as the personnel provided will take him. He’ll surely be prepared to hold up his end of the bargain, though that bargain begins with a reformed tackling unit.

According to Next Gen Stats, the 2024 Colts under then-DC Gus Bradley allowed a league-high 1,183 yards after missed tackles and recorded 10 or more missed tackles in all but six games, posting a missed tackle rate below 10% just once. Pro Football Focus’s missed tackle metric adds that Indy’s defense surrendered the most in 2024, with 171 missed tackles.

When it comes to the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals, its eighth-worst points per game allowed leaps out as to why the defense struggled en route to the defensive coordinator being fired, though tackling wasn’t the primary source in their downfall as Next Gen Stats would suggest. The Bengals ranked sixth in tackle efficiency (88.3%) and didn’t have a single defender dip below an 80% tackle rate (min. five opportunities).

While there’s a new sheriff in town in respected defensive mind Lou Anarumo, this Colts team, and more specifically its defense, still has a long way to go. Even Colts general manager Chris Ballard admitted in his end-of-season press conference that, “right now, we’re not close…going 8-9? That’s not close.”

Just how much Anarumo and Co. will be able to turn this ship around in one offseason remains to be seen, but it starts with the Colts’ front office. Anarumo has his work cut out for him with how the defense is currently constructed, but a healthy and atypical free agency from Colts general manager Chris Ballard is paramount as they enter a polarizing 2025 NFL Draft Class.