It was such a disappointing 2024 campaign for the Indianapolis Colts that management deemed it necessary to announce general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen would be retained after it ended.
Nevertheless, Colts Pro Bowler Zaire Franklin believes Indianapolis could and should be an enticing free-agency destination. Among the reasons why are the members of the coaching staff -- old and new.
"First and foremost" is the addition of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Franklin said in a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show.
"If you're thinking about bringing a defensive player to help bolster our unit, first of all, Lou is a well-respected DC in this league," Franklin told Rome when asked his pitch to free agents to join Indy. "I can just, from the Pro Bowl, every single player that I met that I played against him, was on the same team as him, even offensive guys -- from [Joe] Mixon to Ja'Marr [Chase] to all those guys -- had extreme respect for Lou. Just talked about his defensive mind, ability to put players in positions to succeed."
Anarumo was fired after six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, but he built a phenomenal reputation within the league that was hardly sullied by a struggling 2024 squad that seemed to offer more questions about personnel than Anarumo's effectiveness.
The veteran DC will take the reins of a Colts defensive cast that was 29th in yards allowed in 2024 under Gus Bradley, but still boasts plenty of name talent.
In addition to Franklin, who led the NFL with 173 tackles in his first Pro Bowl campaign, DeForest Buckner, Kenny Moore, first-rounder Laiatu Latu and Grover Stewart provide a talented core -- and another selling point.
"We got Pro Bowlers at this point, playmakers at all three levels: myself, DeForest and Kenny Moore," Franklin said. "So, add another dynamic playmaker to that mix, whether it's secondary, D-line or linebacker room, it's only going to add to that and help make this an all-time unit."
While Franklin has high optimism for what the defense can become under the guidance of Anarumo, he's also endorsing Steichen and his offense.
Following a promising first season at the Colts' reins in 2023, Steichen came under a bit of fire during an 8-9 2024 season. Indianapolis 2023 first-rounder Anthony Richardson's progress was stunted, usage of star running back Jonathan Taylor was questioned and Indy's Week 17 loss to the New York Giants was a major black eye.
However, Steichen's back, as was announced by the Colts following their Week 18 overtime win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
There were also some highlights, such as Alec Pierce, Michael Pittman and Josh Downs each topping 800 yards receiving, and Taylor returning to Pro Bowl form and the 1,000-yard club after two seasons away from it.
"Offensively, Shane, everybody that has played for him offensively loves his scheme, loves how he gets guys the ball," Franklin said. "Obviously, we had three receivers with over 800 yards.
"And J.T., of course, shoutout to J.T."
A massively pivotal season lies ahead for Steichen, Ballard and the Colts, who are amid a four-season playoff drought and hoping Richardson solidifies his status as the QB of the future.
Roughly a month after tallying eight tackles and a sack in that season-ending win over the Jags, Franklin is doing his best to paint an affable portrait of the Colts going forward with the hopes of adding a pivotal piece to the puzzle.
