Chris Ballard or Gus Bradley? Who deserves the blame?

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The Indianapolis Colts are 0-2 and the way in which this team has lost both games are unsettling. Who is at fault?

Losing games because of opposing offenses carving up an unproven secondary or your “rookie” quarterback struggling with defenses throwing different looks at him from week-to-week were expected.

But to be losing games because you can’t stop the run when you have invested countless dollars and draft picks in? Losing games because you couldn’t take advantage of facing one of the worst backup quarterbacks in the NFL? Inexcusable.

There are TEN defensive lineman on the Colts roster. They sub guys in and out throughout the game to “keep guys fresh.” That “fresh” defensive line has surrendered 474 rushing yards through two games. Every single fan between the Packers and Colts knew that would be run heavy with Jordan Love out. It took Gus Bradley almost an entire quarter to change up his scheme from four down lineman to five to stop the run. Why did it take so long to change?

Not to mention, through two games the secondary has deflected TWO passes. C.J. Stroud and Malik Willis are 36/46 through two weeks. That is a 78.3% completion percentage in the National Football League. Only the New York Giants have allowed opposing QB’s to complete passes at a higher rate.

Only two teams in the last five seasons have made the playoffs after starting 0-2. Cincinnati in 2022 and Houston last season. Now, most people did have the Colts 0-2 to start the season, but still winning 10 games. However, losing the way they have was far from expected.

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This is year eight for Chris Ballard and year three for Gus Bradley.

Back in 2022, Marcus Brady was the scapegoat. He got fired after the team started the season 3-4-1. Sam Ehlinger was then summoned by Jim Irsay to start against New England instead of Nick Foles. It resulted in Frank Reich being fired after a 26-3 loss and Jeff Saturday being hired as the interim head coach.

In 2024, Gus Bradley is going to eventually be the scapegoat. His scheme is predictable, easy to gameplan for, and can’t seem to make life hell for backup quarterbacks.

P.J. Walker, Malik Willis, Taylor Heinicke, and Jake Browning have all defeated the Colts. If you want to include 2022, Mac Jones, Daniel Jones, Davis Mills, Kenny Pickett, and Ryan Tannehill (twice) have all beat the Colts.

Each year it is something different with needs that go unaddressed.

• 2024 – Corner or Safety Depth and Starting Tight End
• 2023 – Starting Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Dominate Edge Rusher
• 2022 – Starting Wide Receiver, Dominate Edge Rusher
• 2021 – Starting Left Tackle, Starting Wide Receiver, Dominate Edge Rusher

How is it that fans, media, and everyone outside the organization can see the needs of a team but the front office can’t? Every single offseason the primary needs go unaddressed. Drafting Anthony Richardson gave Chris Ballard another three years, at minimum. Jim Irsay is going to give his “blue chip” GM time to build a roster around an uber talented QB.

On Query & Company Monday afternoon, Jake Query asked CBS4 & FOX59’s Mike Chappell to evaluate which seat is hotter between Chris Ballard and Gus Bradley.

To listen to Jake Query ’s conversation with Mike Chappell , download the podcast containing the conversation below! You can always listen to the Query & Company from 12pm-3pm on 93.5/107.5 The Fan. You can also watch and interact with the show by going to the 107.5 The Fan YouTube Channel .

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