Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley met with the media on Tuesday for the first time since Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants, and described the performance on defense in a way that I’m sure resonates with many–it was “embarrassing.”
“The overall performance on Sunday was embarrassing,” said Gus Bradley via the Indy Star. “As the leader, it’s my responsibility for our overall play, and I take that responsibility.”
Perhaps in a fitting fashion, the same issues that had plagued the Colts’ defense all season long were on display and were ultimately the team’s undoing against the then two-win Giants.
Indianapolis entered Sunday’s game surrendering the most missed tackles in football. Against the Giants, PFF would credit the defense with having 13 missed tackles by their initial metrics, adding to the Colts already hefty total this season.
Giving up explosive plays, both on the ground and through the air, is another area where the Colts have continually struggled this season. By my count, the Giants had eight plays of at least 19 yards–most of which came via the passing game–while Drew Lock averaged a whopping 13.4 yards per attempt.
The end result was a Giants’ offense, who came into the game averaging just over 14 points per game–the worst mark in football–dropping 38 points and nearly 400 yards of total offense on the Colts’ defense.
“I do have to take ownership on if the techniques aren’t taught properly, if there’s a poor call based on situations that we’re playing in or players just aren’t in position to make plays,” added Bradley. “That is on me. I think it’s our job to put the players in position to make the plays and to make the calls, allow them to be successful. We didn’t get that done on Sunday.”
In a must-win game against a Giants team that was in line for the first pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Colts’ defensive performance wasn’t only embarrassing but unacceptable.
Bradley would go on to say that the “team is learning,” referencing that really it’s only DeForest Buckner who has been on a “playoff run.”
And while, yes, it’s true, all teams have to learn how to win, the issue for the Colts is that this isn’t exactly a young roster. There are a lot of veterans on this team and defense who are on second contracts and been apart of the on-field failures the last few seasons.
This now marks the third time in four years–the other season the Colts had just four wins–that in a late season game, where a win is required to either make the playoffs or to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Colts have fallen flat. And on two of those occasions, those losses came against the two win Giants and the two win Jaguars.
“Accountability starts with personal accountability,” Bradley said. “When you don’t hold yourself accountable as a player, then we have to do it as a coaching staff, but I think great teams have personal accountability.
Sunday’s performance, and a message on social media from Pat McAfee, has understandably put the Colts’ organizational culture under a microscope. It’s certainly fair to say that the given the circumstances and outcome of this recent loss, that the issues the Colts have go beyond their play on the field.
However, despite the outside noise, Bradley does believe that the accountability internally is there and defended Shane Steichen. But while accountability is one thing, now it’s time to take ownership.
“I think Shane’s done a great job. Is it accountability or is it ownership?” Bradley said. “The accountability’s there. If a player’s late, they get fined. If a player’s playing time is taken away. But it’s the personal accountability — and we have some guys that take personal accountability — but right now, we have to take ownership of this. That’s what we’re doing as a coaching staff.”