The Indianapolis Colts became one of the best stories of the first half of the 2025 NFL season. The AFC South team was en route to a top spot in the AFC until Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14.
Even before that, the Colts were on a two-game losing skid that worsened with the 36-19 loss to the Jaguars. Jones won’t be back until next season, and 44-year-old Philip Rivers is filling in for the remainder of the season.
Rivers has yet to win his first game with the Colts despite playing at a decent level, and the team went from 8-2 to 8-7 in five weeks. While they are on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention, the team’s owner is under scrutiny over her actions during the season.
Analyst says Carlie Irsay-Gordon micromanaged Shane Steichen
After his father, Jim Irsay, passed away ahead of the 2025 season, Carlie Irsay-Gordon became the team’s CEO. She received praise for being involved with the team, even making appearances on the sidelines with a headset and a clipboard. NFL analyst Tyrone Johnson took issue with Irsay-Gordon’s antics, accusing her of micromanaging head coach Shane Steichen.
Carlie Irsay-Gordon, co-owner of the Indianapolis Colts.
“Micromanaging is the reason why now they are 8-7 I noticed that all those pieces have suddenly disappeared. … Now that they’re losing, Can we agree that that was always stupid. It was stupid when they were winning, and it’s stupid now, and the owner should stay the hell away from it,” he said.
“Yes, she can know what’s going on, of course, she can have a headset up in the box, but to stand on the sideline micromanaging your coach was wrong when they were winning, and it’s just as wrong.”
The Colts’ chances to make it to the playoffs are hanging by a thread. The Jaguars (11-4) and the Houston Texans (10-5) are battling it out for the division title, while the Colts might be out of the race.
