Why did the Indianapolis Colts choke so spectacularly this season?
And that is the million-dollar question haunting every bar in Indy right now. Because you do not just sleepwalk from an 8-2 start into the garbage bin of history without some serious internal rot. But the reality is much uglier than just a few bad plays on the gridiron. The Indianapolis Colts have officially become the first team in three long decades to start the season with eight wins in their first ten games only to find themselves watching the postseason from their living rooms. It is a level of incompetence that feels almost choreographed. But we saw it coming when the Texans slammed the door shut by beating the Chargers. Because they let their destiny sit in the hands of other teams, they got exactly what they deserved. And let us be clear about one thing right now. This was not a fluke. It was a systematic disintegration of a locker room that clearly stopped believing in the hype they were selling to the fans. They were sitting pretty at the top of the world and then the wheels did not just come off; the whole car exploded. But nobody wants to talk about the lack of leadership. Because it is easier to blame a missed tackle than a culture of complacency. And that is exactly what happened here.
Is the front office actually planning a Daniel Jones rescue mission?
Because the rumors are swirling like a Midwest tornado and they are just as destructive. But have you seen the free agent list for 2026? And it includes Daniel Jones. Yes, that Daniel Jones. Because apparently, the Colts think the solution to a historic collapse is a quarterback who has spent more time looking at the turf than the end zone. But the list does not stop there. And we are seeing names like Alec Pierce and, wait for it, Philip Rivers. Because someone at the Indianapolis Star decided to drop Rivers’ name into the 2026 free agency conversation like he is not currently coaching high school kids in Alabama. But maybe that is the gossip we need. And perhaps the Colts are so desperate they are looking at retired legends and Giants rejects to save their souls. Because the current roster clearly is not cutting it. And Alec Pierce being a free agent in 2026 means we have two more years of watching him run deep routes into nowhere. But the fans are tired. And they should be. Because when you see Daniel Jones linked to your franchise, you know the bottom is still miles away. But the front office will keep smiling. And they will keep telling you to trust the process while the process is currently on fire in a dumpster.
What does the Texans victory over the Chargers say about the AFC South?
And it says that the Colts are currently the little brothers of the division. Because the Texans did what the Colts could not do, which was win when it actually mattered. But the 20-16 victory for Houston was the final nail in a coffin that Indy built for themselves. And it is hilarious if you think about it. Because the Colts were the darlings of the league in October. But by late December, they are the punchline of every joke from Nashville to Jacksonville. And the Chargers losing to the Texans just proves that the entire conference is a chaotic mess where the Colts simply did not have the grit to survive. Because you cannot rely on the Chargers to save your season. But Indy fans thought they had a chance. And that is the funniest part of this whole circus. Because hope is a dangerous thing when your defense has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese. But the Texans are moving on. And the Colts are moving to the golf course. Because that is where they belong after a collapse of this magnitude. And do not expect any apologies from the coaching staff. But expect a lot of excuses. Because excuses are the only thing this team produces at an elite level.
How will this collapse impact the locker room culture moving forward?
And the fallout is going to be radioactive. Because you do not just come back from a 30-year record-breaking failure and act like everything is fine. But the players know. And the veterans are probably already looking for the exit signs. Because who wants to stay in a building where an 8-2 start leads to nothing? But the young guys are the ones I feel for. And they are being taught that losing is acceptable as long as you have a good start. Because that is the message this organization is sending. And if they actually bring in Daniel Jones in 2026, the locker room will probably just revolt. But maybe that is what they need. And a total purge of the current philosophy is the only way out. Because the ghost of Philip Rivers hanging over the free agent list is just a reminder of better times that are never coming back. But the fans will keep buying jerseys. And the owners will keep making money. Because that is the cycle of mediocrity in the NFL. And Indy is the new capital of that cycle. But hey, at least they made history. Because being the first team in 30 years to fail this hard is technically an achievement. And it is one they will have to live with forever. But the sting will not go away. Because every time an 8-2 team takes the field next year, they will be compared to this pathetic Colts squad. And that is the true legacy of this season. But don’t worry. Because there is always 2026. And Daniel Jones. But mostly just more disappointment.
