The Indianapolis Colts came into the season hoping to make a playoff push. It was a rocky ride, but last week, the team had a shot to keep their playoff hopes alive. Instead, they gave up 45 points to the lowly New York Giants. This caused a media firestorm this week, with many calling for drastic changes to be made. Head coach Shane Steichen took a different approach at his pre-week 18 press conference. Despite all of the chaos that has happened this season, Steichen believes the team is really close to being able to compete in the AFC.
Shane Steichen On The Indianapolis Colts 2024 Season
The Indianapolis Colts don’t have much to play for in week 18. They cannot reach the playoffs, and their 7-9 record means they cannot finish above .500. While you don’t have to look far to find people criticizing the organization, Shane Steichen and his staff are remaining positive about the year they had.
“I think we’re really close. I do. When you have a season like this, you know, it’s frustrating, but we’ve got a lot of good guys in the locker room, I’ve said that before, and I know those guys will go out and fight like crazy to finish.”
In the interview, Steichen acknowledged this season has had disappointments. There have been frustrating losses throughout the year. Quarterback Anthony Richardson was benched for a few weeks because of a choice he made in the middle of a game. Still, there was plenty to be excited about if you are a fan of the team.
Looking At The Positives
There is a lot to be excited about if you are an Indianapolis Colts fan. Running back Jonathan Taylor returned to his All-Pro form, rushing for over 1,200 yards and ten touchdowns. Linebacker Zaire Franklin is looking to lock up the tackles title in week 18. First-round pick Laiatu Latu had a solid rookie campaign. He forced three fumbles and got four sacks throughout his first year. Richardson had his moments as well. There are cornerstone pieces, but it is about getting the consistency out of the team.
Richardson will be the biggest project this offseason. The team is going nowhere if he continues to play like he did this year. The good news is Steichen was brought in to be an offensive guru. If both parties can work together in the offseason to improve, this team could be dangerous next year. Another bright spot is they are in the AFC South. It isn’t going to take much to take the division crown after Houston looked subpar for most of the year.
Final Thoughts
For how much turmoil the Indianapolis Colts saw this season, it is a wonder they were in the playoff race as long as they were. There are things to fix, but there is a lot to like about this team. Last week’s loss to the Giants was awful, but it shouldn’t have overshadowed the successes of the rest of the season. Reports indicate that while some changes might be coming to the organization, Steichen is likely to keep his job. There will definitely be pressure on the team next year to make the playoffs, but this team has the pieces to make it happen.
