Four votes. That’s what Colts head coach Shane Steichen pulled in from a survey of 20 NFL GMs, coaches, coordinators, and execs, ranking him tied for sixth among the best offensive play-callers in the game not named Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan. That’s some serious league-wide recognition for his play-calling abilities, and it tells you everything about the respect he’s earned behind the scenes.
Steichen’s Offensive Magic, Explained
We saw the full force of Steichen’s offense last season through the first 10 games. The dude made Jones one of the most productive quarterbacks in football during that stretch, pushing the offense into the league’s highest-scoring units for the first half of the season. Think about that for a second. It’s not just a one-off, either. Remember him molding the offense around Phillip Rivers on the fly? That was seriously impressive. Steichen has consistently found ways to keep the Colts in games, even when quarterback play has been all over the place over the last few years. He’s a wizard at game planning and play calling, no doubt about it.
The Playoff Hurdle They Can’t Clear
Here’s the frustrating part: for all that offensive genius, Steichen’s ability to game plan and call plays hasn’t actually translated into a playoff appearance. It’s the ultimate head-scratcher. This Colts team has just struggled to finish, failing to find ways to win those absolute must-have games. That’s the cold, hard truth. His skills are why the Colts felt comfortable largely running back their offensive side of the ball, clearly believing in his system. But belief only gets you so far.
Now, Steichen and that offense have got to put it all together for a full, grueling 17-game season. No more falling short. The talent is there, the league respect is there, now it’s about making those wins happen when they matter most.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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