NFL fans have grown accustomed to Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s presence on the sidelines with the headset on, play sheet in hand, taking notes while the coaching staff talks through calls during their games.
However, NFL analyst Stephen A. Smith is not a big fan of the Colts owner’s antics. Smith demanded that the Colts owner “make a change” during a “First Take” segment on Wednesday.
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Former Colts star Jeff Saturday shut down the narrative by outlining that Irsay-Gordon fired Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard.
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NFL fans reacted to Smith’s criticism of the Colts owner.
“Stephen A. Smith is exactly why I have decreased my ESPN intake by 95%,” wrote a fan.
“SAS proving once again, that he has no idea what he’s talking about,” wrote another fan.
“He’s an idiot and clown when it comes to both sports and politics,” wrote a fan.
“Jeff knows it’s pointless to argue with a fool,” wrote a fan.
“He’s gotten to the point where he’s just as insufferable as Skip Bayless,” wrote a fan.
“We are watching him move the goalposts in real time,” wrote another fan.
His complaint was that her presence there rang hollow if nothing followed. Smith also shifted his target to head coach Shane Steichen instead.
“Why the coach there? What’s he there for?” Smith said.
Irsay-Gordon fired Ballard on Oct. 19, the morning after a 26-20 home loss to a Tennessee Titans team that had gotten off to a 0-5 start. Steichen’s role is on the hot seat this season.
Colts made changes after disastrous start to 2026 season
Chris Ballard finished 72-82-1 in nine-plus seasons, with two playoff appearances and no AFC South titles. Assistant GM Ed Dodds took over the personnel department, and Shane Steichen and his staff began reporting to ownership, ESPN reported.
The Colts traded eight-time Pro Bowl left guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder. They also traded three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
However, the results have not improved as they have lost four consecutive games and are 2-6 with nine games left this season.
Edited by Chaitanya Prakash
