Former Colts punter Pat McAfee, now a prominent sports media figure, has openly criticized his former team in a fiery and detailed Twitter post following their elimination from playoff contention. The Colts suffered a loss to the Giants, who had yet to win a home game all season, prompting McAfee to highlight significant issues he believes stem from poor franchise management.
“In the biggest moments, anyone with a brain knew they’d fold . . . and they did,” McAfee wrote. He pointed to red flags like questionable work ethic, lack of preparation, tardiness to meetings, and missed treatments—behaviors he insists “NEVER happen on good teams.” McAfee even called out the franchise quarterback, Anthony Richardson, for leaving a game due to fatigue during a critical third-down play in the red zone, something McAfee claimed was unprecedented in NFL history.
“When I said Joe Flacco gives us a better chance to win than [Anthony Richardson] immediately after the tap out, I would’ve said the same about any backup QB we had on the roster,” McAfee continued. “That kind of behavior can’t come from the face of your team. It reflects a locker room and culture problem—a loser’s attitude radiating through a building once built by legends.”
Frustrated, McAfee announced he would not renew his season tickets, blaming the players directly for the team’s struggles.
“Your unwarranted arrogance, laziness, and lack of professionalism have earned you ANOTHER early vacation . . . probably what most of you entitled bums were hoping for,” McAfee said.
This tension seems to stem from an earlier incident involving McAfee’s image being used on a YouTube graphic for linebacker Zaire Franklin’s podcast. Franklin and teammate E.J. Speed criticized media figures for their inconsistent takes on the Colts, accusing them of manipulating fans.
“You’re on national television screaming for changes, and the next week you’re screaming for the opposite,” Franklin said.
In response, McAfee defended his comments, claiming he has always spoken truthfully about the team, despite backlash from fans and players. “Current players, who’ve won nothing during their tenures, are using me and my face to paint me as the enemy in the city I’ve committed my life to,” McAfee wrote.
The fallout raises questions about whether Colts owner Jim Irsay will respond to McAfee’s pointed critique. Irsay faces a choice: overhaul the franchise, potentially replacing head coach Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard, or maintain the status quo.
For McAfee, this is a bold gamble—a test of his influence. It remains to be seen whether Irsay will take action to address the cultural issues McAfee has exposed or stay the course. Either way, McAfee seems prepared to continue his crusade for change.
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