The Colts are going in a different direction defensively, parting ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley as his contract expires.
It’s been three disappointing seasons, and the writing has been on the wall for weeks. It became increasingly more obvious that Bradley’s cover-3, bend-don’t-break defensive philosophy no longer has the same effect in today’s game as it did during Bradley’s golden years.
Since being hired, Bradley’s defense has increasingly gotten worse. After ranking 15th in defensive yards allowed per game in 2022, his unit nosedived to 24th in 2023 and 29th in 2024.
Preventing points wasn’t so easy either, with his defenses ranking 29th, 28th and 26th in points per game allowed across three seasons. Add in that the Colts led the league in missed tackles with 149 going into the season finale, the attention to detail was substandard.
Third-down defense proved a weakness too. Indy entered week 18 as the second-worst third-down defense in the league, allowing a 45% conversion rate.
As a result, it became clear that new leadership is necessary on the defensive side of the ball. Owner and CEO Jim Irsay pulled the plug on Bradley Monday.
"I'm appreciative of Gus and the commitment he made to the Colts," head coach Shane Steichen said in a statement released by the team. "He is a man of great character, and I have the utmost respect for him. I felt like we needed to move in a different direction. I wish Gus and his family all the best moving forward."
Steichen, despite not being in charge for Bradley’s initial hiring, kept him on board during a transitional period for the coaching staff following Steichen’s arrival. Since then, Steichen has vehemently defended Bradley for the coach, mentor and person that he is.
“Gus has been doing this a long time,” Steichen said during an October press conference, with his team’s defense in the beginning stages of an embarrassing campaign on that side of the football. “I have faith and trust he can get this thing turned around.”
He couldn’t, and didn’t turn things around.
Even with the blend of experienced talent and youthful energy, the 58-year-old simply couldn’t put the pieces together.
Bradley is the first domino to fall, likely beginning a series of changes to the Colts brass. For Indy, it ensures a new defensive identity is on its way, improving from the disappointment of Bradley’s term in charge.
