- May 21, 2026
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After the conclusion of the 2025 season in January, Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon made it clear that General Manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen had to put a better product on the field in 2026.
“We have been very clear with Chris and Shane that giving them another opportunity means that the sense of urgency for them to deliver and perform has never been higher,” Irsay-Gordon said at her press conference after announcing that Ballard and Steichen would both return.
But with Sunday’s overtime loss to Kansas City, Indianapolis has now lost nine consecutive games dating back to Week 12 of last season. The team finished 8-9 after starting 8-2 and has now dropped the first two this season.
A lot has happened along the way — including starting quarterback Daniel Jones going down with a torn Achilles. But in a results-oriented business, Indianapolis has not been good enough.
At the end of his postgame press conference on Sunday night, Steichen was asked what he tells the team after nine consecutive losses.
“I tell them to keep your freaking heads up, dude,” Steichen said. “It is a long season ahead of us. We are battling like crazy. That’s the message. We have to continue to grow and learn. There is a lot of football left. Like I said last week, we are right there. We have to find a way to win at the end. That was one of those games.
“It is a freaking hard-ass league, and you have got to find a way to win these tight games.”
The Colts will be back at home next weekend to face a division rival, the 0-2 Texans.
“We have been very clear with Chris and Shane that giving them another opportunity means that the sense of urgency for them to deliver and perform has never been higher,” Irsay-Gordon said at her press conference after announcing that Ballard and Steichen would both return.
But with Sunday’s overtime loss to Kansas City, Indianapolis has now lost nine consecutive games dating back to Week 12 of last season. The team finished 8-9 after starting 8-2 and has now dropped the first two this season.
A lot has happened along the way — including starting quarterback Daniel Jones going down with a torn Achilles. But in a results-oriented business, Indianapolis has not been good enough.
At the end of his postgame press conference on Sunday night, Steichen was asked what he tells the team after nine consecutive losses.
“I tell them to keep your freaking heads up, dude,” Steichen said. “It is a long season ahead of us. We are battling like crazy. That’s the message. We have to continue to grow and learn. There is a lot of football left. Like I said last week, we are right there. We have to find a way to win at the end. That was one of those games.
“It is a freaking hard-ass league, and you have got to find a way to win these tight games.”
The Colts will be back at home next weekend to face a division rival, the 0-2 Texans.