The Indianapolis Colts are running out of season and, by the look of things, running out of answers too. A 42-7 Week 8 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars only reinforced what has felt obvious for a while: this team is staring at a reset, and the sooner the offseason arrives, the better.
That kind of blowout also makes one thing hard to ignore - the Colts have now lost in Jacksonville in a streak that dates back to 2014. That’s a brutal run, and it’s one more problem the next general manager and head coach will inherit.
Shane Steichen’s handling of the game only added to the mess. With Indianapolis getting buried, he kept Daniel Jones on the field into the fourth quarter before finally turning to Anthony Richardson.
The switch came only after Jones threw a terrible interception, which made the decision look even worse. The question is simple: why not make the move at halftime?
Jones’ day was ugly in its own right. He finished with two interceptions.
The first wasn’t on him, since the ball bounced off tight end Tyler Warren’s hands and was taken 92 yards for a Jaguars touchdown. The second, though, was all Jones, and it was another reminder of how rough this season has been for him.
There’s also the bigger issue with Jones’ future in Indianapolis. Maybe he’s still dealing with the effects of the torn Achilles tendon he suffered last season, but if that’s the case, why is he still out there? His arm strength looks diminished, his decision-making has been poor, and the Colts could save $38 million by releasing him next offseason.
The loss wasn’t just about the offense, either. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo got picked apart by Jaguars coach Liam Coen.
Jacksonville was averaging nearly 8 yards per play before it changed quarterbacks in the fourth quarter, and it was also getting nearly 6 yards per rush. Even with DeForest Buckner traded recently, this felt bigger than one player.
The scheme was the problem.
And that’s where the frustration really lands: the Colts players didn’t quit, but the coaching staff sure looked lost. Steichen doesn’t provide much in the way of leadership, and Anarumo hasn’t gotten the job done. Neither should be back.
As for Week 9, the quarterback debate probably isn’t much of a debate at all. Steichen has said he has complete faith in Jones, and that makes a change unlikely.
Richardson does bring more as a runner, which matters when Jones has only completed seven passes for more than 20 yards all season. But unless something changes fast, Steichen is going to Steichen for as long as he remains with the Colts.
In Other News...
Colts Loss Exposed The Same Problems Fans Are Tired Of
The Colts Week 8 loss to Jacksonville had a familiar feel, the kind that leaves fans replaying the same frustrations after the final whistle. There were a couple of encouraging individual efforts tucked inside the defeat, with Adetomiwa Adebawore and CJ Allen standing out as rare positives, but the bigger picture was hard to ignore. Too many of the same issues showed up again, from uneven execution to a game plan that never seemed to settle in.
Shane Steichen and Lou Anarumo both came under scrutiny for how the game unfolded, while Laiatu Latu and Tyler Warren also drew criticism for underwhelming play. The loss added another layer to the growing concern that Indianapolis keeps running into the same problems in the biggest moments, and the Jaguars game did little to ease that unease. For a team trying to establish consistency, it was another reminder that the margin for error is getting smaller. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Trade Talk Just Put The Colts On The Spot
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Any path to a deal would be complicated, though, because adding a player of Taylors caliber would demand major draft capital and a real cap maneuver on Minnesotas side. For Indianapolis, the noise is a reminder of how valuable Taylor remains and how quickly outside interest can turn into a front-office test, even if nothing official has been put on the table yet. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Downs Trade Buzz Puts Colts Deadline Pressure In Focus
Trade chatter around Josh Downs has turned one of the Colts more intriguing roster questions into a deadline storyline. The second-year wide receiver is drawing interest as Indianapolis weighs its options, and the market is already taking shape around a player who has been a useful part of the offense while also looking like the kind of asset that can pull real value in return.
The timing matters because the NFL trade deadline has a way of forcing teams to decide whether they are buying, selling or simply holding firm. Several clubs with receiver needs are watching, and the Colts have a decision to make on how aggressive to be in talks as the deadline gets closer. For a team trying to balance present production with future flexibility, Downs has become a name worth tracking. [Read more 🡒]