The Indianapolis Colts' disastrous start to the 2026 season has raised chatter about head coach Shane Steichen's job security.
Indianapolis fell 41-23 to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, allowing 506 yards of offense in a performance that drew a pointed reaction from The Athletic's James Boyd.
"So far, the sequel is off to a nightmarish start, and neither Ballard nor Steichen should feel safe," Boyd wrote.
That judgment came after Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon elected to retain both men following last season's collapse. Indianapolis started 8-2 in 2025 before losing its final seven games.
Sports Illustrated's Drake Wally followed with an even more direct assessment of the situation Monday.
"The excuses for Steichen and Ballard are completely gone,"
Wally wrote.
Wally added that continued mediocrity could ultimately lead Indianapolis to reconsider its current leadership structure.
Steichen is now in his fourth season as Colts head coach. Under Ballard, the Colts have a 70-79-1 record since 2017 and haven't made the postseason since 2020.
A rebound won't come easily, either, with Indianapolis traveling to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.
Only one game won't determine Ballard or Steichen's futures, but Sunday's showing may have significantly reduced their margin for error over the next several games.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Pressure mounting for Colts' Ballard, Steichen after Week 1
