Colts HC Shane Steichen Roasted by Fans for Baffling Answer on Team Accountability

This was a bad look for a team that just got knocked out of the playoffs.

Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts saw their playoff hopes slip through their fingers after a humiliating 45-33 loss to the New York Giants in Week 17, a result that sparked outrage and disgust from fans and media alike.

With an NFC postseason berth on the line, the Colts let the Giants put 45 points on the board, the first time New York has done so since 2019, and sank to 7-9 on the year. After the dismal result, Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said the team couldn’t stop a nosebleed and alluded to big changes coming this offseason.

Some of those changes could involve Shane Steichen and his coaching staff. Steichen, who is about to complete his second season as the Colts’ head coach, hasn’t been able to guide young quarterback Anthony Richardson to very much success in his first mostly healthy campaign in Indy.

Amid growing concern over the Colts’ rumored lack of discipline and fractured team culture, Steichen had an opportunity to fire back at the critics, but he ended up making things worse.

When asked about Pat McAfee’s scathing claims of players showing up late for treatment and meetings, Steichen said, “I think with any team, right, not everyone’s gonna be on time every time.”

#Colts HC Shane Steichen, asked by @bkravitz about players being late, as Pat McAfee suggested:

“I think with any team, not everyone’s gonna be on time every time. But there is accountability … I think Pat, he’s a former alumni that wants to see the Colts do well. …” pic.twitter.com/CUvMmDLIag

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) December 30, 2024

Oof. 

NFL fans roasted the Colts coach for his questionable line on team accountability.

Translation: there is no accountability https://t.co/eb9e1QynRQ

— Cody Felger (@CPFelger55) December 30, 2024

JFC. If you aren't coaching it, you're allowing it. Burn it down. I want ZERO remnants of this regime remaining. https://t.co/HiflgmKW2Z

— Jason Spears (@ForTheCOLTure_J) December 30, 2024

This explains a lot. Good God. 😳 https://t.co/9Nbwk2ZCxZ

— Heather Lloyd (@ByHeatherLloyd) December 30, 2024

This seems to be a horrific answer. "Not everybody's gonna be on time...". Can you imagine Belichick or the Harbaughs saying this? And where exactly is the accountability? Who got benched this season besides AR? Who lost their job? Who called out publicly? https://t.co/4eSlfE2fmc

— Andy Sweeney (@TheOnlySweeney) December 30, 2024

Could have said literally anything other than this https://t.co/JFLIQZ59JH

— Alan (@alanlozer) December 31, 2024

Oh boy.. just cut the mic off already. https://t.co/GI3EymW4gL

— Kyle Rapoza (@ColtscapKyle) December 30, 2024

The mantra on every HIGH SCHOOL team I played on was

“Early is on time. On time is late. Late is unacceptable.”

How is the standard lower for pros? https://t.co/CgFHSGbdA1

— Benjamin Lee (@_BenLee) December 31, 2024

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