Carlie Irsay-Gordon Sees 2025 Progress, Expects Colts to Overcome More in 2026
Colts Owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon addressed fans during the end-of-season press conference, reflecting on an 8-9 season. She acknowledged the frustration felt by the team’s supporters and expressed her own dissatisfaction with the way the season ended, stating that she and the team share those feelings.
2025 Season Overview
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster for the Colts, starting strong at 8-2 with the league’s top offense. However, injuries significantly impacted the team, leading to a disappointing conclusion. They lost their last seven games, despite early successes.
Management Continuity and Expectations
Irsay-Gordon announced that General Manager Chris Ballard and Head Coach Shane Steichen will return for their 10th and fourth seasons, respectively. She emphasized that this decision comes with a heightened sense of urgency to address the team’s late-season struggles.
- Irsay-Gordon stressed the importance of replicating early-season successes.
- She insisted that Ballard and Steichen must deliver results that meet fan expectations.
Challenges Faced
Injuries to key players such as quarterback Daniel Jones and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner were addressed, but Irsay-Gordon made it clear that they should not be used as excuses for the team’s underperformance.
- The Colts need to improve their ability to handle adversity during games.
- Irsay-Gordon called for solutions to ensure consistent finishes in matches.
Statistical Performance
Despite the losing streak, the Colts finished the season with a +54 point differential. This statistic surpassed that of five playoff teams and matched the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles.
During the first part of the season, Daniel Jones posted impressive numbers, including:
- Third-best yards per attempt (8.1)
- Fourth-best completion percentage (68%)
- Sixth-best passer rating (100.2)
Looking Ahead
Irsay-Gordon expressed optimism about the team’s future, noting that progress was made in the early season. She highlighted that Ballard adapted his strategy by signing significant free agent contracts and making a notable trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner just before the trade deadline.
The decision to retain Ballard and Steichen was made after careful consideration. Irsay-Gordon believes they can recapture the momentum from the first 10 weeks of the season while correcting the issues encountered in the latter part.
Final Thoughts
“Next year, our performance throughout the entire season will be crucial,” she remarked. Irsay-Gordon believes in the capabilities of both Ballard and Steichen, viewing them as essential to achieving the Colts’ objectives moving forward.
