Breaking news: After missing the playoffs yet again, the Indianapolis Colts have appointed Lou Anarumo as their new defensive coordinator.
General manager Chris Ballard took responsibility for the issues that held the Colts (8-9) out of the playoffs for a fourth straight year.
That falls on all of us,” Ballard said on January 10, four days after the decision to part ways with Bradley was made. In the end, I did not give them enough, and we truly need to improve our defensive performance from both a play and player acquisition perspective.
After leading the Cincinnati Bengals to the 2021 Super Bowl, Anarumo, who had been with the team for the previous six seasons, was regarded as a “hot” candidate for head coach. As recently as 2023, he had been connected to coaching positions with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants.
However, Anarumo’s reputation suffered greatly after the Bengals’ defense faltered in 2024, and he was let go on January 6.
With a team that wants to make further moves, Anarumo now has another chance. The return of linebackers coach Richard Smith and defensive backs coach Ron Milus has already been announced by the Colts.
Starting linebacker E.J. Speed, starting safety Julian Blackmon, and three important backups—defensive tackle Taven Bryan, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, and linebacker Grant Stuard—are all on Ballard’s free agency list.
Ballard has usually prioritized re-signing players who were produced through the draft with the team’s salary cap space. He did, however, appear receptive to a different strategy in 2025 once the season concluded.
We need to improve our ability to find the free agents we wish to sign and then finish the deal with them. And it really is up to me,” Ballard remarked. “It’s not Mr. Jim Irsay, the team owner; he will allow me and my employees to do what needs to be done. That is something we must be able to do.
Buckner, the team captain who has demanded significant changes this summer and pledged to bring in free agents who can help the Colts make a comeback to the postseason, may also be able to assist Ballard in the free agent market.
The extent to which Anarumo will alter the defense’s plans is still unknown. Buckner, though, is hoping for progress.
According to Buckner, “everyone has an ego, but the great teams—those guys sacrifice that ego and check it at the door.” You can sense it and see it. It’s captured on video. There were many guys involved, not just one, and I need to participate and serve much more effectively the following year.
