Gus Bradley was once a highly regarded defensive mastermind, best known for creating the dominant “Legion of Boom” defense with the Seattle Seahawks, which was one of the most formidable units of the 2010s. His innovative scheme helped make that defense one of the best of the century. However, since his successful stint from 2009 to 2012, Bradley has not replicated that level of success. He coached for several teams before landing with the Indianapolis Colts, where his performance has been underwhelming. With his current three-year record in Indianapolis, Bradley is on the hot seat and could be one of the top candidates for dismissal in 2025.

Bradley joined the Colts in 2022 and has overseen a defense that has been mediocre at best. While there have been occasional flashes of brilliance, the unit has largely been inconsistent, with far more lows than highs. This season has been marked by a lack of effort and execution, resulting in a year defined by persistent struggles. With just one game remaining against the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars, Bradley has little chance to salvage anything positive from this season and faces a legitimate case for being fired.

Why Gus Bradley Should be Fired at the End of This Season

Gus Bradley’s Previous Tenure

Gus Bradley first gained recognition as the architect of the famous “Legion of Boom” defense with the Seattle Seahawks, a unit that ranked at the top in nearly every major defensive category. This defense played a pivotal role in Seattle’s Super Bowl victory in 2014, where they dismantled Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos 43-8. Following his success in Seattle, Bradley became the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, his tenure was short-lived, as he only managed 14 wins in four seasons and was fired mid-season in 2016.

After his stint as a head coach, Bradley returned to his roots as a defensive coordinator. He worked with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017, before moving to the Las Vegas Raiders, and eventually joined the Indianapolis Colts. Notably, Bradley was never fired by the Chargers or Raiders; instead, he transitioned from one team to another.

During his time with the Chargers, Bradley initially kept the defense competitive, with his units ranking in the top ten for points allowed in his first two seasons. However, the defense’s efficiency began to decline, and this trend continued in his time with the Raiders, where the defense showed inconsistency—strong in some areas, weak in others. These issues hinted at a decline in Bradley’s coaching effectiveness. Despite this, the Colts decided to take a chance on him, hoping to tap into the potential that made him one of the NFL’s top defensive minds in the early 2010s.

His Current Tenure with the Indianapolis Colts

Before Gus Bradley took over as the Colts’ defensive coordinator, Matt Eberflus had established a reputation for running a consistently solid defense in Indianapolis. Eberflus, who left to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears, left big shoes to fill. From 2018 to 2021, Eberflus had the Colts playing with steady effort and execution. While the defense wasn’t elite, it was never a liability. The Colts hoped that Bradley could build on the foundation Eberflus left and take the defense to new heights, but that has not been the case.

Since Bradley took over in 2022, his defenses have continued the pattern of inconsistency that plagued his previous stints with the Chargers and Raiders. Over the last two seasons (2022 and 2023), the Colts’ defense only ranked in the top 10 in two key categories: sacks and rushing average. In 2024, they are on track to finish in the top 10 in just one category—rushing average. The defense has underperformed in every other major area, and it is set to finish outside the top 25 in points allowed per game, total yards allowed, and third-down conversions.

This season has seen the Colts’ defense hit an all-time low, with little indication that things will improve. As a result, it’s clear that Gus Bradley’s tenure needs to come to an end. The Colts should part ways with him at the end of the regular season or this offseason to move forward with a fresh approach.