Should Head Coach Frank Reich Be On The Hot Seat In 2020?

After the Indianapolis Colts had arguably the best offseason in the NFL, Frank Reich and his team will have added pressure in 2020.

Reich heads into his third season with the Colts after having been the offensive coordinator for Philip Rivers‘ Chargers and for the Eagles with Carson Wentz and Nick Foles.

Just three years after winning Super Bowl LII, Reich may be on the hot seat heading into the 2020 season.

Was 2019 an anomaly?

Andrew Luck was supposed to be the Colts quarterback well into his 30’s, but that, unfortunately, did not come to fruition.

The 2012’s game-winning drive leader and 2014’s touchdown leader amassed a 53-33 career record and won double-digit games in four different seasons.

In 2018, Reich’s first season with the Colts, Luck led the Colts to a 9-1 record to finish the regular season.

Indianapolis then went on to beat the Texans in the wild-card round of the 2018 playoffs before losing to the Chiefs in the divisional round.

With Luck’s sudden retirement, Reich had to depend on former Patriots quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Brian Hoyer.

In Brissett’s 15 starts, he posted a record of 7-8.

Not only could 2019 be an anomaly due to the quarterback play, but it could also be because of the team’s kicking.

For the first 12 games of the Colts 2019 season, future Hall of Famer Adam Vinatieri missed eight field goals and six extra points.

#Colts 2019 season.

Pros:
• Run Game improving
• The MANIAC 😈 causing trouble
• Young Team for development

Cons:
• Mark Glowinski
• Jacoby Brissett
• 33 points lost on missed kicks
• Second half performance in ALL games

Major issues need addressing in the offseason.

— LightningArrow (@LightningArrow3) December 30, 2019

He then was replaced by Chase McLaughlin, but the Colts finished with one of the worst team kicking percentages in the league in 2019.

If Reich can help usher in better quarterback and kicker play this upcoming season, 2019 could easily be an anomaly.

Will 2020 be a comeback season for Reich and Rivers?

Under Reich, the Colts have been one of the NFL’s best red zone teams.

In 2018 and 2019, Indianapolis ranked in the top 10 in both red-zone touchdowns and red zone touchdown efficiency.

However, the Luck-less Colts finished in the middle of the pack in scoring offense in 2019 after being a top-10 offense in 2018.

Reich will hope the team bounces back with the addition of Rivers, who is excited to be reconnecting with his former quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

Philip Rivers’ stats when coached by Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni. All three reunited with the #Colts.

2013-14 = 69.5 COMP%, 4,478 yards, 32 TD, 11 INT, 8.2 YPA
2014-15 = 66.5 COMP%, 4,286 yards, 31 TD, 18 INT, 7.5 YPA
2015-16 = 66.1 COMP%, 4,792 yards, 29 TD, 13 INT, 7.2 YPA pic.twitter.com/XoGJvy0DWe

— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) March 17, 2020

The 2018 Colts led the NFL in third-down conversion percentage, but the 2019 team fell to 12th in the league.

During each of Reich’s three years with the Chargers, they ranked in the top eight in third-down conversion percentage, and in 2013, Rivers led the league in completion percentage.

In Rivers’ first two years with Reich, the Chargers produced 9-7 seasons.

They won a playoff game in 2013, but Rivers went on to throw a league-high 18 interceptions in 2014.

The Chargers, who missed the playoffs in 2014 and 2015, played well below expectations in Reich’s final year there and finished the season with a 4-12 record.

If Reich and Rivers cannot bring the Colts offensive scoring back to the NFL’s top 10, they may miss the playoffs in 2020 and Reich may be without a job.

Should Frank Reich be on the hot seat?

There are many aspects that will be considered when Colts management discusses Reich’s coaching future with the team, but a 2020 postseason appearance would go a long way for Reich.

The answer to the “Should Frank Reich be on the hot seat in 2020?” question is “no” as of right now, but if Rivers does not do the trick for the Colts offense, Indianapolis may be searching for a new head coach in 2021.