Steichen’s first year with the Colts in 2023 brought the promise of No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson. Richardson has been plagued by injuries and poor play. Steichen was praised during Richardson’s rookie season when his QB was injured and he got a Pro Bowl season out of journeyman QB Gardner Minshew. Richardson struggled in 2024 and was even benched for a while, but the production didn’t improve under veteran Joe Flacco.
Competition in the form of Jones was brought in to challenge Richardson last season. Jones earned the starting spot and thrived in Steichen’s offense, but a season-ending injury led to the Colts recalling Philip Rivers. Although he played well, Rivers’ game made it three losses and the Colts dropped Super Bowl hopes to official elimination in Week 17. In a Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans, rookie Riley Leonard showed some promise — and a big arm.
Almost as often as Ballard has had to shuffle through quarterbacks, he’s had to put new coaches on the sidelines: Chuck Pagano (2012-2017, with one year at Ballard); Frank Reich (2018-2022); Jeff Saturday (2022 interim coach). He won’t need to find a replacement for Steichen, though, as the relationship will remain aligned as the Colts aim to turn things around in 2026.
The 2026 QB dilemma remains in light of Jones’ injury and impending free agency, along with Richardson’s rapid development. Since Jones has played his best ball of his career with Steichen, it seems more likely that he would return with Steichen moving forward.
However, Ballard and Steichen will enter the offseason with the handicap of not having a first-round pick in 2026 or 2027 after the Colts sent both to the Jets in exchange for Gardner. However, Gardner has been injured more than he has played since coming to Indiana.
With the final game of the Colts’ 2025 season now upon us, the 2026 rebounding process will continue for Ballard and Steichen.