On Monday, the Indianapolis Colts made a shocking and puzzling move by hiring Jeff Saturday as its interim head coach.
Saturday, who spent the majority of his 15-year NFL career in Indianapolis, was hired to take over an NFL team when his only real coaching experience was with a college prep school in Georgia. Needless to say, the Colts were criticized for their hiring of Saturday as it overlooked many potential Black candidates who may have been more qualified, including Colts wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne.
Because of this, the Colts have been accused of tanking in order to obtain the highest draft pick they can get. By hiring an inexperienced coach like Saturday, it’s more likely that the Colts will fail while also putting out a legit effort to not raise suspicion.
After defending Saturday’s lack of experience and defending himself on accusations he’s skirting around the Rooney Rule, Jim Irsay focused his wrath on those who are accusing the Colts of tanking.
Irsay told The Athletic’s Bob Kravitz and Fox 59’s Mike Chappel, “That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard, that we’re tanking. That’s bulls***. We’re in this thing; 9-7-1 get us in, no question about it. … We’re not tanking the season. Whoever says these things, that we’re not playing Matt because (of an effort to tank), that’s all bulls***. That’s not true. … We’re going to do what it takes to win. I don’t know who people think we are, they don’t know us. We don’t tank in Indianapolis.”
Actions speak louder than words and while it may or may not be “tanking,” the Colts’ actions and decisions over the past few days sure look like they are implementing a long-term strategy at best. It sure isn’t the kind of move someone would make if they were looking to go deep in the playoffs, that’s for sure.
