PFF put together its list of the 10 head coaches heading into the 2025 NFL season who are on the hot seat, and included was the Colts’ Shane Steichen.

Pro Football Focus put together its list of the 10 head coaches heading into the 2025 NFL season who are on the hot seat, and included was the Indianapolis Colts’ Shane Steichen.

“If Steichen’s offense can’t display more coherence with either Richardson or Daniel Jones under center, it will likely spell the end of his tenure,” wrote Bradley Locker.

During Steichen’s first two seasons as head coach, the Colts are 17-17 with a 9-8 performance in 2023, where the the team nearly missed out on the playoffs, followed by an 8-9 performance in 2024, where Indianapolis was still in the playoff mix during the latter portion of the season.

This is a make-or-break year for the Colts, however, and in part it is that way because of the struggles the team had before Steichen even arrived.

Under GM Chris Ballard, the Colts haven’t made the playoffs since 2020, they have just one playoff win during his tenure, and haven’t won the AFC South since 2014.

If things again go south this season, and the Colts again miss out on the playoffs, one would think that Ballard’s time as GM will come to an end, and that very well could mean the end of Steichen’s tenure as head coach.

Typically, when changes are made to the leadership structure, the new GM will want to bring in his own head coach for a fresh start, and that way, everyone is operating on the same timelines as well.

To hopefully avoid this scenario, we saw a much more aggressive approach in free agency from Ballard, which included signing Cam Bynum and Charvarius Ward. To also help the defense improve, Steichen made a change at defensive coordinator, bringing in Lou Anarumo.

Overall, there is a lot to like about this Colts’ roster, but the biggest question mark lies at quarterback, which as we know, is also the most important position.

Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will be competing for those starting snaps this summer. Ultimately, the play at quarterback will determine the ceiling for this Colts team, and regardless of who the starter is, it will be up to Steichen to get the most out of that player.