Another hard year has come and gone for the Indianapolis Colts without another playoff appearance.
The last time the Colts made the playoffs was back in 2020. There was hope quarterback Anthony Richardson returning would change that, but the problems with the Colts weren’t offensively — some think it was the defense.
Indianapolis Colts Defensive Captain Blasts Team’s Performance
Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner blamed the defense for the team’s issues this year and offered a scathing critique of his team’s defense.
#Colts DT DeForest Buckner on the defense:
“We all have egos, but the great teams … they sacrifice that ego …”
“It’s not like we haven’t called things out …”
“You can take ownership of your own stuff, but you can’t force someone to take ownership of their own stuff.” pic.twitter.com/DtOABYhdD7
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 6, 2025
“Everybody needs to check their ego at the door,” Buckner said via WISH. “We all have them. Especially as a man in that locker room, we all have egos. But great teams, those guys, they sacrifice that ego and check it at the door. . . . At times I felt like there was just a bunch of individuals out there playing football. It didn’t look like a unit out there at times and it showed.”
Despite his support of his head coach, Indianapolis’ defense has seen little improvement over the last three seasons since Shane Steichen became head coach. Gus Bradley’s second season as defensive coordinator hasn’t brought meaningful improvement, which could result in a change, especially after the Colts belly-flopped out of the playoffs.
Steichen might keep his job, but the same can’t be said for Bradley, whom Steichen has not said whether he will be retained.
The Colts’ defense ranked 26th in PFN’s defensive metric, which averages out to a D overall.
The Colts averaged a mind-numbing -1.19 EPA per dropback on defense in this game. For context, that was the worst by any team all season and the worst by any team since the Dolphins in Week 17 last year against the Ravens.
DeForest Buckner Says He Plans To Recruit Free Agents
So what is Buckner’s plan to solve the Colts’ issues on defense? Recruit free agents to the team. According to the Indianapolis Star, Buckner plans to recruit other defensive stars to join the team this offseason.
“All I care about is winning,” the All-Pro defensive tackle said. “It’s been frustrating the past four years to not get to the playoffs.”
“I’m going to leave no stone unturned this offseason.”
Buckner is not used to losing and won’t accept the current plight of this team.
“I’m hoping that we make some changes that will better this team and propel us over the hump and into the right direction. There’s going to be guys out there who can help this team,” he said. “We’ve got to make the right moves. I’m not a GM. They’re going to look at everything, and I believe they’re going to pick the right people to be in this locker room and to help this football team.”