On Sunday night, former Indianapolis Colts punter and current sports media personality Pat McAfee unloaded on his former team after their playoff hopes were dashed following a loss to the struggling New York Giants.
The Colts haven’t reached the playoffs since 2020, haven’t won a postseason game since 2018, and haven’t claimed the AFC South title since 2014.
McAfee criticized the organization for what he perceived as a lack of effort and winning mentality this season, pointing to reports suggesting the team was fostering a culture of complacency and laziness.
“A blind person could see the red flags on this team,” McAfee wrote on X. “Work ethic questions NEVER happen on good teams. Preparation commitment questions NEVER happen on good teams. Late to meetings NEVER happens on good teams. Late to/skipping treatment NEVER happens on good teams. The franchise QB tapped out of a game… on 3rd down… in the red zone… because he was tired… NEVER HAPPENED in the history of the NFL.”
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McAfee expanded on his frustrations during Monday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show.
Later that day, Colts head coach Shane Steichen addressed McAfee’s comments, though his response wasn’t exactly a rallying cry.
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“I think with any team, not everyone’s gonna be on time every time. But there is accountability, and guys are held to a standard. And that is talked about in-house,” Steichen told reporters. “I think Pat, he’s a former alumni that wants to see the Colts do well, just like all our fans want us to do well. And when the standard isn’t met—like not making the playoffs—it’s frustrating. It’s frustrating for a lot of people, myself included. And that’s why we talk about raising the standard so we’re not in these situations.”
Hardly the type of response to inspire confidence or passion.
While it’s not Steichen’s job to publicly rebut every claim in the media, McAfee’s fiery critique doesn’t seem to have sparked much change yet.
The 7-9 Colts will close out their season at home against the 4-12 Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. If they fall short in that game, it’s safe to assume McAfee will have more to say.
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