With Shane Steichen being named head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Jeff Saturday sent one last message to the team and the fans.
The Indianapolis Colts have officially hired Shane Steichen as the team’s next head coach; a hire that has excited a lot of people. For a while, it seemed like Jeff Saturday was going to be Indy’s next head coach. Saturday was hired during the season as interim head coach, and several reports throughout Indy’s coaching search named Saturday as the favorite. Despite Saturday being one of the most beloved figures in franchise history, the majority of fans did not want to see Saturday become the head coach.
Those fans ultimately got their wish as Steichen received the job. Just before Steichen’s introductory press conference. Jeff Saturday took to social media to officially sign off and send a message to the organization and the fans. From the middle of a lake, Saturday thanked the entire organization for the opportunity, and also wished Shane Steichen luck. Saturday expressed that he’s “still a huge Colts fan” and will always be pulling for the team.
Saturday even had some fun with the fact that many fans didn’t want him to get the job saying, “for everybody out there, including the thousands that signed the petition, which may have included my wife and son, I’m so grateful for Colts Nation and who you are.” He was of course referring to the petition where fans asked Jim Irsay not to hire Jeff Saturday. Regardless of not being a popular coach, Saturday still expressed his love for all the fans.
Colts Nation- love y’all! pic.twitter.com/7aFIy8jwUq
— Jeff Saturday (@SaturdayJeff) February 14, 2023
Jeff Saturday still loves Colts Nation
When Saturday was initially given the interim coaching role, it was a move that shocked everyone and also received a lot of criticism. Unfortunately, Saturday gave the critics a ton of fuel after going 1-7 during his short stint. While Indy’s players and decision-makers were willing to give him a fresh start in the coaching search, fans, and media members weren’t as forgiving. As a result, many people spent the past four weeks criticizing Saturday and doing whatever they could to let it be known that they didn’t want him as head coach.
Now that it’s clear he won’t be the head coach, fans are hoping they can just go back to loving Saturday for the franchise legend he is. Some fans and media members have even taken to social media to thank Saturday for his willingness to step up and attempt to help the organization through a dark time.
It’s unclear what’s next for Jeff Saturday. It’s possible that he could return to ESPN as an analyst or he could stay in the coaching world in some capacity. Whatever the case, it’s evident that Saturday still has a ton of love for the Colts and genuinely wants to see the organization do well.
Which Colts players deserve contract extensions?
The Indianapolis Colts have several players entering the final year of their contracts. Indy must decide which players deserve an extension.