Sunday night, former Indianapolis Colts punter and current sports media megastar Pat McAfee let loose on his former club after they were eliminated from the playoffs thanks to a loss to the lowly New York Giants.
Indianapolis hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020, hasn’t won a playoff game since 2018, and hasn’t won the AFC South since 2014.
McAfee excoriated the Colts over their perceived lack of effort and desire to win this season, specifically citing reports that the franchise was fostering a culture that didn’t do the little things and allowed for laziness to prevail.
“A blind person could see the red flags on this team,” he wrote on X. “Work ethic questions, NEVER happens on good teams.. Preparation commitment questions, NEVER happens 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.”
McAfee continued to explain his frustrations with the franchise on Monday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show.
This is about the culture in that Colts building.#PMSLive https://t.co/JFHtBr0FYO pic.twitter.com/Cn5GAWvojo
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 30, 2024
Later on Monday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen was asked about McAfee’s Sunday comments. His response wasn’t exactly Vince Lombardi-esque.
#Colts HC Shane Steichen, asked by @bkravitz about players being late, as Pat McAfee suggested:
“I think with any team, not everyone’s gonna be on time every time. But there is accountability … I think Pat, he’s a former alumni that wants to see the Colts do well. …” pic.twitter.com/CUvMmDLIag
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) December 30, 2024
“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, you know, not getting in the playoffs, it’s frustrating. It’s frustrating for a lot of people, myself included. And that’s why we talk about the standard is being raised so we’re not in these situations.”
Not exactly “run through a wall” inspiring stuff.
It’s not Steichen’s responsibility to push back on McAfee or offer a rebuttal to every claim in media reports, but if the College GameDay analyst was hoping to light a fire under someone’s butt with his comments, it doesn’t sound like it’s worked just yet.
The 7-9 Colts wrap up their season at home against the lowly 4-12 Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. If they lose that one, we have a feeling McAfee might have another rant in him.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.