INDIANAPOLIS >> The Indianapolis Colts decided two weeks ago that their defense needed a change.

On Monday, the offseason overhaul began with the hiring of Lou Anarumo, a person with knowledge of the hire confirmed to The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced.

Anarumo replaces Gus Bradley, who was heavily criticized this past season for an underperforming unit.

How bad was it? Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner called it the worst defense he had played on since being traded to the Colts in 2020.

General manager Chris Ballard blamed himself for the problems that, at least in part, kept the Colts (8-9) out of the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

“That falls on all of us,” Ballard said Jan. 10, four days after the Bradley decision was announced. “And at the end of the day, I did not give them enough, and we’ve got to — in totality, have to do better defensively — from a player acquisition standpoint and from a play standpoint.”

Anarumo spent the past six seasons in Cincinnati and was considered a “hot” head coaching candidate after helping the Bengals reach the Super Bowl following the 2021 season. He was even linked to vacancies with the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals as recently as 2023.

But as the Bengals defense had a rough season in 2024, Anarumo’s stock took a significant hit. He was fired Jan. 6.

Now he’s getting a new chance with a team that seems primed to be making additional moves. Indy already had announced defensive backs coach Ron Milus and linebackers coach Richard Smith would not return.

Ballard also must contend with a free agent list that includes starting linebacker E.J. Speed, starting safety Julian Blackmon and three key backups — defensive tackle Taven Bryan, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and linebacker Grant Stuard.

Ryans: Boyd push was not done in disrespectful manner

HOUSTON>> Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said cornerback Kris Boyd didn’t push special teams coach Frank Ross in a “disrespectful manner” after he nearly shoved him to the ground following the opening kickoff of the team’s divisional playoff loss to the Chiefs this past weekend.

Ryans said after the game that he hadn’t seen the push before addressing it Monday.

“I don’t think he was pushing Frank in a disrespectful manner,” Ryans said. “I think it was more so he was fired up, overly fired up and thought he made a play to help us.”

The Texans kicked off and Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio had broken through their coverage, hitting the open field and racing toward the end zone. Boyd caught him and stripped the ball loose, ran toward Houston’s sideline and celebrated the fumble by ripping off his helmet and sending it skittering toward the bench.

Unfortunately for Boyd and the Texans, the Chiefs recovered the fumble.

It was a fact Boyd only realized as he neared the sideline, after his helmet was off and the penalty flag had been thrown.

Bengals hire new O-line coaches

CINCINNATI>> The Cincinnati Bengals hired Scott Peters as offensive line coach and Michael McCarthy as assistant offensive line coach.

Peters replaces Frank Pollack, who was an assistant on Zac Taylor’s staff for four seasons (2021-24). Pollack also coached the Bengals offensive line in 2018, which was Marvin Lewis’ final season.

Peters coached New England’s offensive line this past season. He is familiar with the AFC North though after being Cleveland’s assistant offensive line coach from 2020 through ‘23.

McCarthy also spent this season on New England’s staff as an offensive coaching assistant.