The end is near for Ballard and Steichen as the Colts fall to the previously winless Titans

I wouldn’t fire them tomorrow -- unless Mike Tomlin wants back on the sidelines -- but at this point, the die is cast. End of the season...gone.

This was the day when Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen guaranteed themselves a pink slip at season’s end. And you could sense that Steichen knew it: Normally a robotic and milquetoast sort who leans on football pabulum in his press conferences, Steichen came out to speak to the media after the Colts’ collapse, a 26-20 loss to one of the league’s worst teams, set his jaw and was angrier than we’ve ever seen him. Hell, he almost cursed…but not quite.

This was Steichen as you’ve never seen him, and for good reason: This was, without question, the worst loss of his coaching era. Losing to a winless team, a winless divisional team, losing at home, losing on a day when several Colts legends returned to celebrate Adam Vinatieri…what could be worse? I would argue it was the franchise’s worst loss since the Carson Wentz-led collapse in the win-and-in game at Jacksonville in January of 2022. And here’s the scary thought: Before long, they’ll be 2-6 with games at Minnesota and Jacksonville coming up.

Like I said, he was pissed. His words may not have reflected that, but trust me, as someone who was there at the press conference, you could see he was seething.

Asked about Daniel Jones, who continues to throw the ball to the other team: “I’m not going into…” He paused. “I love Daniel, but we’ve got to clean up the turnovers, for sure.”

Asked about pulling Jones and giving Anthony Richardson Sr. a chance, he said, “He (Jones) is our starting quarterback.”

Which tells me one thing: He’s got zero faith in Richardson.

I would stick with Jones for another two games and then take stock. If this season is completely lost at 2-6 and Jones continues to play like he did during the lean years in New York, I’d seriously consider yanking him. I mean, how could it hurt, right? At least find out if there’s any hope with Richardson, no?

Asked about Jones’ play, Steichen came as close to criticizing his beloved quarterback as I’ve ever heard: “I think he knows he’s got to play better…”

This, though, was a strong bottom-line question:

Do you have the talent to win?

Not that he was going to be honest and throw Ballard under a bus, but he said, “I believe we do.”

I believe he’s wrong. I believe Ballard has failed this franchise. Should we talk about all the edge rushers he’s missed on? His quarterback whiffs? His roster-building blind spots? OK, maybe another day, another column.

After a few minutes of interrogation – no, we didn’t water-board him, as much as fans would like us to – he was asked to describe his tone with the team: “About the same as I am with you guys right now. Pretty pissed off.”

And the boos, including the “Fire Ballard” chants: “Yeah, we’ve got to give them something to cheer about. I don’t blame them for booing one freaking bit.”

At this point, I’m hearing from a lot of fans who are actively rooting for them to lose, solely because it would be the nail in the coffin for Ballard and Steichen. That’s a bad place to be as a franchise.

What do you suppose Carlie Irsay-Gordon wrote in her notebook Sunday afternoon?

Reminder: Fire Ballard and Steichen at season’s end.

By now, it’s painfully apparent, isn’t it? Hell, I wasn’t even on board with giving Ballard a 10^th year, but Irsay-Gordon bought into the idea that last year’s 8-2 start was a sign of things to come and not a mirage. So, after taking over as the owner after her father’s death, she gave Ballard another year – has anybody ever had a longer rope in this league? – and here they are, sitting at 2-4 after giving up 20 unanswered points in the second half after leading 13-0 at half. Without question, this was the loudest rendition of “Fire Ballard” I’ve heard during his endless tenure.

Special teams, so good most of the year, fell apart, giving up two long kickoff returns and a punt block returned for a touchdown. And there were nearly two more punt blocks but Rigo Sanchez made athletic plays and eluded the on-rushing defender.

And guess whose defense forced three turnovers – a Jonathan Taylor fumble and two more Daniel Jones’ interceptions – and limited the Colts to one touchdown in the second half but our old Colts buddy and current Tennessee defensive coordinator Gus Bradley? Think he enjoyed watching his defense, considered too remedial when he worked for the Colts, shut down and fluster Jones and the offense? Six sacks, three turnovers and a game-wrecking performance by the magnificent defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. (Oh, and zero sacks by the Colts.)

Now, I’m hearing from absolutely everybody that the Colts should blow it up right this minute and believe me, I understand the white-hot anger from the fans, who peppered the home team with boos through most of the second half. Everybody wants heads on a stick; I get it. But I’m going on the record here saying that mid-season firings never, EVER work in football – anybody remember the Jeff Saturday era? – and honestly, what purpose would it serve to blow out both the GM and the coach? I’ve talked to Rick Venturi about this in the past – he was an interim head coach twice in his career, including once in Indianapolis – and he’s always been opposed to mid-season firings. (Although he may have changed his mind in the last 12 hours.)

I will say this: Unless Mike Tomlin wants to return to the sideline and spend less time messing around on Minecraft – I mean, right this minute -- I’m opposed to giving both men their pink slips this Monday or any time during this lost season. Just telling you: It’s not going to get any better with an interim. And anyway, who fires GM’s in the middle of the season – OK, besides the dysfunctional Titans -- and what purpose would it serve? I say play it out and then clean house. Completely. Scorched earth. Nobody survives.

At this point, I’d be approach DeForest Buckner and Jonathan Taylor and contemplate trading one or both of them. Get back some draft capital for the next guy.

Buckner, for one, sounds like he’s at his wit’s end.

“I’m sick and tired of the same song and dance every year,” he said.

You’re not alone, Buck.

This was the day the Ballard and Steichen Era ended, for all practical purposes. And not a moment too soon.

As Robert Mathis tweeted after yesterday’s game, “Somebody definitely gettin (sic) fired.”

All in good time, Robert. All in good time.