About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen A. Smith ranted at Indianapolis' expense — save for the " Pat McAfee Show " — Wednesday, Nov. 4 on ESPN's " First Take ."
Smith and former Indianapolis Colts center and coach Jeff Saturday were discussing the NFL Week 9 matchup between two of this season's biggest disappointments — the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Colts.
Smith took over the segment for 90 seconds.
"I don't give a damn how bad the Dallas Cowboys are. They ain't worse than the Indianapolis Colts ," Smith said. "Let's get that out the way. The Indianapolis Colts are a mess. They've been a mess. (Coach Shane) Steichen, he's lucky to still have a job. (Former general manager Chris) Ballard's already gone. I'm surprised he wasn't pushed out the door with him."
Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) hands off to running back Seth McGowan (20) during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) chases Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) and makes a sack during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) sacks Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 1: Head coach Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts and head coach Liam Coen of the Jacksonville Jaguars talk prior to the game at EverBank Stadium on November 1, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images) (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images) Indianapolis Colts principal owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon looks on before an NFL football matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union) Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (84) signs autographs before the game between the Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) warms up before the game between the Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images (Travis Register, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) greets his daughter Shae Lynn before the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 01: A general view at mid-field of the Jacksonville Jaguars logo prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium on November 1, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) (Don Juan Moore, Getty Images) Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) warms up before the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs with the ball after a catch as tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) looks to block during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) and linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) celebrate after a sack during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) hands off to running back Seth McGowan (20) during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) hands off to running back Seth McGowan (20) during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) chases Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) and makes a sack during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) sacks Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 1: Head coach Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts and head coach Liam Coen of the Jacksonville Jaguars talk prior to the game at EverBank Stadium on November 1, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images) (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images) 5 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Indianapolis Colts principal owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon looks on before an NFL football matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union) 6 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (84) signs autographs before the game between the Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 7 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) warms up before the game between the Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images (Travis Register, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 8 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) greets his daughter Shae Lynn before the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 9 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 01: A general view at mid-field of the Jacksonville Jaguars logo prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium on November 1, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) (Don Juan Moore, Getty Images) 10 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) warms up before the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 11 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs with the ball after a catch as tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) looks to block during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 12 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 13 / 13 Indianapolis Colts photos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 8 action Nov 1, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) and linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) celebrate after a sack during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images (Morgan Tencza, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) The Colts fired Ballard after a Week 6 loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans . They have since lost to the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars .
The Colts (2-6) have reportedly been in trade talks about several players, most notably running back Jonathan Taylor .
"You're wondering where he's going to land because we know the Indianapolis Colts are going nowhere fast. Anybody can beat them," Smith said, "including the chaos, the dysfunctional bunch that is the Dallas Cowboys."
Dallas (3-5) has one of the NFL's worst defenses and has victories over teams with a combined eight wins.
"The only thing about Indy nowadays, you understand, is the Pat McAfee Show (also an ESPN product). That's about it. Ain't nothing else good about Indianapolis." Smith said before addressing Saturday. "Just sit back and take it, Jeff."
Smith said team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, who has listened in on play calls and taken notes along the sideline for a decade, should clean house.
"You can't defend what this organization has been. You can't defend this owner," he said. "I don't mind her parading up and down the sideline. That's what she does. My whole point is, what the hell you doing that for if you ain't going to do nothing about the product you're seeing. What are you on the sideline for. You just sightseeing?
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter .
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Steven A. Smith lauds Pat McAfee, blasts Indianapolis Colts, owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon
Source: Sports
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