Before the Game, There Were Rumors About Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s Coaching Choice Between Shane Steichen and Raheem Morris – After the Game, She Silenced Them All

Indianapolis, Indiana – November 10, 2025

In the hours leading up to the showdown between the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons, NFL social media was buzzing with renewed debates. Many fans revisited the decision from two years ago, when Raheem Morris interviewed for the Colts’ head coaching job — only for owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon to ultimately choose Shane Steichen, then the offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles.

WHOLESOME: #Colts owners Carlie Irsay-Gordon and Kalen Jackson shared a cool moment pregame with #Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on the field.

Before Indy hired Shane Steichen, they had interviewed Raheem Morris for the job.
pic.twitter.com/F4gntJHKjq

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) November 9, 2025

As cameras captured Carlie walking over to shake hands and share a brief hug with Morris before kickoff, the internet exploded. Critics claimed it was “the handshake of regret,” reigniting the idea that Indianapolis had passed on the better coach. Some pundits even argued that Steichen’s youth and offensive focus were risky choices compared to Morris’s defensive pedigree.

THE DUMBEST COACH IN THE #NFL: #Falcons HC Raheem Morris decided not to use a timeout after sacking Indy and making it 3rd and long.

Instead, he decided to let the clock run. Indy ran it down and threw an interception.

MORRIS KEEPS COSTING HIS TEAM WINS. pic.twitter.com/1eQv8B5Pa9

— Trần Duy Phương (@tranduyphuong96) November 10, 2025

But once the game began, all that noise faded. The Colts dominated the Falcons, displaying poise, precision, and creativity — hallmarks of the system Steichen has built in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Atlanta stumbled in crucial moments, and Morris’s decision-making drew sharp criticism after several failed adjustments down the stretch.

When asked after the game about the pregame chatter and the comparisons to Morris, Carlie Irsay-Gordon responded calmly, with the quiet confidence of someone whose belief had just been validated.
“Fans have every right to question, but my job is to trust the vision. Shane isn’t just a coach — he’s the future of the Colts, and together we’re turning belief into reality.”

Her words spread quickly across social media, shared by players, reporters, and fans who saw them as a powerful statement of conviction. The same fans who mocked the pregame handshake were now praising Carlie’s resolve and the team’s progress under Steichen’s leadership.

By the end of the night, the conversation had shifted completely. There was no more talk of “missed chances” or “what ifs” — only respect for a decision that took courage and patience.

From Indianapolis to Atlanta, the Colts didn’t just win a football game; they reclaimed their narrative — and Carlie Irsay-Gordon reminded everyone why conviction, when proven right, speaks louder than any scoreboard.