INDIANAPOLIS – The continuity assured by owner Jim Irsay does not include retaining Gus Bradley.
The Indianapolis Colts announced Monday evening they “parted ways’’ with their defensive coordinator.
“I’m appreciative of Gus and the commitment he made to the Colts,’’ coach Shane Steichen said in a release. “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.’’
The decision to replace Bradley comes roughly 24 hours after Irsay announced he was retaining Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard for the 2025 season.
Bradley, 55, is jettisoned after three seasons.
His defenses ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in several categories each season.
*In points allowed: No. 24 in 2024 (25.1), No. 28 in ‘23 (24.4) and tied-No. 28 in ’22 (25.1).
*In total yards: No. 29 in ’24 (361.2), No. 24 in ’23 (349.8) and No. 15 in ’22 (334.0).
*In rushing yards: No. 24 (131.8), No. 24 in ’23 (123.8) and No. 21 in ’22 (124.1).
The Colts set an Indy-era record with 51 sacks in 2023, but that slipped to 36 this season when they finished 8-9. The latter figure was impacted when Samson Ebukam, who had a team-high 9.5 sacks, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during training camp.
The breaking point in the Colts’ relationship with Bradley might have occurred in their week 17 loss to the lowly New York Giants. In a 45-33 loss that officially eliminated Indy from the playoffs, the defense allowed 38 points and 389 yards to the league’s least-productive offense. Backup quarterback Drew Lock passed for four touchdowns and ran for another.
Bradley’s NFL career spans nearly two decades and included four seasons as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.