Jobs and careers are on the line.
The Indianapolis Colts are entering a critical offseason. While it may not be as crucial of an offseason when the team used the fourth overall pick on Anthony Richardson whom they hoped would lead the franchise for the next decade plus, it could be the most impactful. When drafting Richardson, it was important to get it right. There was no immediate impact from that, however. This year, everything is on the line for GM, coach, and quarterback.
This is the third year together for Richardson, Chris Ballard, and Shane Steichen, and things have not gone as planned. Ballard has been around much longer, so he has plenty of missteps under his belt. He was given another chance and a fresh start with a new coach and play caller. Get it wrong on those two fronts and it is game over. There will be no further continuation with the franchise. He has to hope those two put it together because they hold his fate in their hands.
Richardson has to stay on the field and Steichen has to create an effective offense around him. A disastrous completion percentage and stagnant offense won’t get it done. Richardson can’t stay healthy, and things looked better when Steichen was calling the plays for Gardner Minshew. He isn’t an option anymore and was never the long term answer, regardless. Both men have to find a way to make it work in year three. That will be three years together, implementing the same system, learning and working what they need and can get from the other. Fail to do that and watch the losses pile up. Watch the losses pile up and the Colts will look to use their top ten pick on a new quarterback and potentially hire a new coach.
If things don’t pan out this year, there could be sweeping changes in the organization. These three wouldn’t be the only casualties. Big name players making big money would be on the chopping block as well, as we could see a complete tear down and rebuild. The most crucial time was drafting a quarterback. That crucial decision has now made for a critical season; one that could result in a team heading a new direction.
