According to this week’s results, 47 percent of Colts fans say they are confident the team is headed in the right direction. That number is still far from overwhelming, and it shows that a large portion of the fan base remains unconvinced, but it is also a notable sign that optimism has not completely disappeared in Indianapolis.
Just a few days ago, fan confidence felt like it had hit a breaking point following the Colts’ embarrassing collapse against the previously winless Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis
looked firmly in control early, built a 13-0 halftime lead and still found a way to lose 26-20 in one of the most frustrating performances of the season. For many fans, it felt like another example of the same problems that have defined this era of Colts football: inconsistency, missed opportunities and an inability to take advantage of games the team should win.
Then came the major change! Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired general manager Chris Ballard less than 24 hours after the loss, ending a tenure that had increasingly become a source of frustration for much of the fan base. Ballard’s dismissal does not fix the roster overnight, and it does not erase the disappointing start to the season, but it clearly signaled a willingness from ownership to make a significant change rather than continue down the same path. That alone may have helped restore at least some belief that the franchise is capable of moving in a different direction.
The 47 percent confidence mark reflects a fan base that is still conflicted. Colts fans are frustrated, and understandably so, but there also appears to be some renewed hope that meaningful change could lead to better days ahead. If Shane Steichen’s team can string together a few wins and climb back into the playoff picture, confidence could rise quickly. If not, this number could just as easily fall again.
For now, though, nearly half of Colts fans still believe this franchise may be headed in the right direction.
Elsewhere around the NFL, fans were also asked which head coach they believe will be the first fired this season, and Colts head coach Shane Steichen received 17% of the vote, tied with Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles for second place behind Washington’s Dan Quinn (34%). Steichen’s inclusion should come as little surprise given Indianapolis’ disappointing start to the season and the recent dismissal of Chris Ballard. While ownership has already made one major organizational change, Steichen remains under considerable pressure to turn things around, particularly with the Colts still fighting to remain in the AFC playoff picture. A few victories over the coming weeks could go a long way toward improving his job security, but another extended losing streak could leave ownership facing another difficult decision before the season is over.
