With Gus Bradley Gone, What Changes Could Be Next For Colts?
Source: Justin Casterline / Getty
The Indianapolis Colts are officially in the market for a new defensive coordinator following the news that Gus Bradley will not be returning next season.
It’s very likely that this will be the biggest change the Colts make this offseason, especially on the coaching staff. But what about when it comes to players? Multiple players spoke about their desire to see the Colts bring in more competition on both sides of the ball. Will Chris Ballard finally be more active in free agency? Or do the Colts think that swapping out defensive coordinators will do the trick?
During the Wednesday edition of The Ride With JMV, Nate Atkins of the IndyStar joined the show, and gave his thoughts on if we will see some new faces wearing the Horseshoe next season.
“They’ve so far made one move to fire Gus Bradley. Obviously, there’s going to be some assistants that will go with that, but it is going to be interesting to find out if that’s what they think is just ‘that’s one fix, let’s just do a different scheme and we’ll be good’, or if they’ll lean into more what DeForest Buckner’s been putting out there, that they have an issue with some of the player accountability and competition on the roster. He told me after the game on Sunday that he wants to see free agents here, he wants to recruit them, and that’s his side of the ball and that’s where you think it would happen. I do think they they’re taking a big look at that side of ball though. That’s what I’ve kind of heard in the past couple of days, is that they don’t look at this as just ‘hey, it was an unaggressive scheme and that’s the only issue that we have.’ When they look at leading the league in missed tackles, and they look at the way that some things have played out with the comments; all the comments are kind of coming from that side of the ball when it comes to culture issues. I definitely don’t think that they’re looking at this as just a Gus Bradley type of issue.”
Nate also ran through some names the Colts could be looking at to fill their vacancy at defensive coordinator.
“Dennis Allen, the former Saints coach I think is intriguing just because he can bring some more of that edge that DeForest Buckner is looking for that I think they need, though it is a philosophical shift a little bit in scheme. Lou Anarumo, who just got fired by the Bengals, he brings more of that sort of creative scheme and adjustment that maybe has been lacking here the past couple years, so I think those are two of the more realistic names. Robert Saleh is the one that everyone is probably going to want, but it’s a similar scheme and I think he’ll have a little better options. So, those other two, then Chris Harris is another, he’s currently the secondary coach with the Titans, but he played for Chris Ballard with the Bears. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if that’s a fit there too.”
Listen to The Best of JMV from Wednesday’s show down below, and tune into The Ride With JMV weekdays from 3-6pm on 93.5/107.5 The Fan!
