Shane Steichen says Daniel Jones won’t be benched but coach and general manager Chris Ballard are in trouble
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said quarterback Daniel Jones will not be benched after the team lost to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. The defeat has intensified scrutiny of Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard, with the article suggesting their jobs may be at risk if the team does not improve.
Jones threw two interceptions, bringing his season total to six, and has thrown at least one in each of his past four games. The Colts have lost four of six games, including two of three at home, where fans booed and chanted for Ballard to be fired; Steichen said he understood their frustration and accepted responsibility for the team’s performance.
- Steichen says Jones will remain the Colts’ quarterback.
- Jones has six interceptions in six games.
- The loss increased pressure on Steichen and Ballard.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Keeping Daniel Jones as the starter could give him a chance to regain form and preserve continuity for the offence, rather than asking a replacement to adjust during a difficult stretch. Steichen may also judge that Jones remains the team’s best option in practice, while taking responsibility for the losses signals accountability from the coach.
The case against
Jones’s recent interceptions and the Colts’ run of defeats give supporters reason to question whether leaving him in place is helping the team. Benching him could offer another quarterback a chance to stabilise the offence, while continued poor results may justify scrutiny of Steichen and Ballard’s decisions and leadership.