The Indianapolis Colts are just trying to get through the season at this point. Whether the team makes more changes by trading players or letting coaches go, what is clear is that the team is trying to build for a better future. A 42-7 Week 8 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars was part of the terrible present.
Is there any shame in losing to the Jags at this point in 2026? Not really. Indy fans don't have hopes for the playoffs this season. The offseason can't get here fast enough with the hiring of a new general manager and likely a new head coach.
Until then, Indy's loss in Jacksonville was just the latest in a streak that began in 2014. That is inexcusable. Maybe the next GM and head coach can fix that problem.
Immediate takeaways from the Indianapolis Colts' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Shane Steichen deserves to lose his job on Monday
Indy needs to replace Steichen with wide receiver coach Reggie Wayne and see how things go for the rest of the season. Sure, the head coach has been missing wide receiver Alec Pierce for most of the season, but a good coach overcomes the loss of one player.
Instead, Indy's offense has played everything close to the line, limiting what the group was capable of. But in Week 8, with the team being blown out, Steichen left quarterback Daniel Jones in the game into the fourth quarter instead of replacing him with Anthony Richardson.
He did so late, but why not make the change at halftime? Instead, he waited until Jones threw a terrible interception and made the change. What an awful decision.
Daniel Jones needs to be in his last season in Indy
Jones had two interceptions in the ugly loss. The first was not his fault, as the ball bounced off tight end Tyler Warren's hands and was returned 92 yards for a touchdown by Jacksonville. The second pick, also intended for Warren, was completely on Jones.
Maybe the quarterback is still limited by a torn Achilles tendon suffered last season, but why play him if that's the case? Either way, he seems to have diminished arm strength and is making atrocious decisions. The team could save $38 million by releasing him next offseason, and that needs to happen.
The Colts players didn't quit, but the coaching staff might as well
Steichen wasn't the only problem in the 42-7 loss. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was completely embarrassed by Jaguars coach Liam Coen. Jacksonville averaged nearly 8 yards per play before changing quarterbacks in the fourth quarter. That included nearly 6 yards per rush.
Sure, DeForest Buckner was traded recently, but that is just one guy. It is the scheme that's the problem. Steichen offers no real team leadership, and Anarumo is simply not good at his job. Neither should be back with the team.
Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones in Week 9?
Feel free to laugh here. We can be sure that Steichen isn't moving on from Jones, even though Jones has been as bad as he has been. The head coach has said he has complete faith in Jones, despite how atrocious he has been for most of his career.
Richardson can offer more versatility as a runner, and that would be valuable since Jones has only completed seven passes for more than 20 yards all season, but Steichen is going to Steichen for as long as he remains with the Colts.
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