Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee went scorched-earth on his old team on Sunday.
The Colts were officially eliminated from playoff contention in Week 17 after an embarrassing 45-33 loss to the lowly New York Giants, who previously hadn’t won a single home game all season and snapped a 10-game losing streak to ruin Indy’s postseason party.
Indianapolis had three turnovers and allowed four Drew Lock touchdown passes as they dropped to 7-9 on the year and kissed their playoffs hopes goodbye.
The Colts came up short when it mattered most, and McAfee, who spent his entire NFL career with Indianapolis before becoming one of the biggest figures in sports media, has had enough.
Following the Giants defeat, the ESPN regular wrote a scathing post on X, criticising members of the team, from players to the front office.
“In the biggest moments everybody with a brain knew they’d crack . . . and they did,” McAfee wrote in response to a question from a fan.
“A blind person could see the red flags on this team.. 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. . . .
The Colts will miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
Starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, who took himself out of a game against the Texans earlier in the season because he felt ‘tired’, did not play on Sunday due to multiple injuries.
The second-year signal caller has thrown eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 61.6 passer rating in 11 games this season, and is widely expected to be the team’s starting QB in 2025.
However, McAfee cast fresh doubts on Richardson’s temperament, writing that if a franchise quarterback left in the middle of a game because he was tired, the ‘immediate response’ would be that the team has ‘no chance.’
“And to the surprise of nobody.. that was the response by everybody who’s ever played/coached the game before but.. Colts blogs and fans who have been covering the Colts since 2020 and more recent knew better than everybody… Started personally attacking me and trying to kick me out of town,” McAfee continued to his 3.2million followers.
“When I said Joe Flacco gives us a better chance to win than [Anthony Richardson] immediately after the tap out.. I would’ve said whatever backup QB we had on the roster. That can’t be what the face of your team is doing.. just can’t be.. and to a bigger aspect of it all, somehow AR thought it was ok to do that. That’s a locker room issue.. that’s a culture issue.. [that’s] an indicator of a loser attitude radiating thru a building that was built by greats.”
“I have no idea how they fix it.. I don’t think it’s like a light switch. “Alright, we’re gonna become Pros now” but… maybe it is, but what do I know?
“Oh wait….. how this was all gonna work out. I knew that.”
McAfee also suggested he was fully done with the team and will not be renewing his season tickets next year.
“As a multiple year season ticket holder (not renewing).. and someone who has actively, daily, attempted to be an additive to this beautiful city. I hope they become a good franchise again.. this city deserves it.. the OGs in the Colts building deserve it (equipment managers, trainers, ticketing, PR, sales).. and on the flip side the players/coaches in that building deserve whatever happens to them. Your unwarranted arrogance, laziness, and lack of professionalism has lead you to ANOTHER early vacation… which is probably what most of you entitled bums have been hoping for.
“I don’t speak for the city.. and I don’t speak for all ex Colts players because I was only a punter.. nominated for the HOF 3 times now but nonetheless.. I speak from my own perspective.. I’ve never seen a group waste opportunities/talent/money more than this group.”
What happens now is anyone’s guess.
McAfee, who was a two-time Pro Bowl punter with the Colts from 2009 to 2016, certainly holds a lot of sway in sports media, but it remains to be seen what effect his strong words will have on Colts owner Jim Irsay.
Many will feel the obvious answer is to fire GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen.
The Giants defeat dropped Steichen one game below .500 (16-17) in his two seasons at the helm, and afterwards he was asked if he’s concerned for his job.
“I control what I can control,” Steichen said.
“It’s hard to explain,” he went on. “Obviously, you’ve got to play a complete game. We haven’t done it all year. We’ve all got to be on the same page. Weekly, everything we do has got to be razed because to go out there like that is not good enough.”
Steichen and the Colts will now look to end the season on a high note when they take on the Jaguars in the Week 18 season finale.
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