The Indianapolis Colts’ will be retaining defensive line coach Charlie Partridge under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The 2024 season was Partridge’s first with the Colts. Prior to that, he was the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at the college level for Pittsburgh from 2018-2023.
In Partridge’s first season with Indianapolis, the pass rush would rank 22nd in pressure rate and 26th in sacks. Although the Colts’ defense as a whole was often picked apart by the opponent’s quick passing game, making it difficult at times to get after the quarterback.
Against the run, the 4.2 yards per rush surrendered by the Colts was the ninth-lowest mark in football. However, this defense as a whole seemed to be very feast or famine in the run game–either limiting opponents or getting run over with chunk run after chunk run.
During his season-ending press conference, GM Chris Ballard mentioned that the thought the defensive front played “pretty good” last season.
“I thought they played pretty good,” Ballard said via the Indy Star. “Now, did they have the amount of sacks? No. I know that’s what everybody equates it to. … Now look, there’s times you can’t get there when they’re six, seven-man protecting and the ball’s out fast. When the ball’s coming out, that’s sometimes how teams counteract you. I didn’t think our d-line played bad.”
In addition to Partridge returning, it was also reported that James Bettcher will be the Colts’ new linebackers coach.
