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Indianapolis, IN – Indianapolis Colts and head coach Shane Steichen have come under heavy criticism after a lackluster start to their offseason. The team, once seen as a contender on the rise, has failed to make any significant strides during the NFL free agency period, with many analysts claiming that the Colts have only gotten "definitively worse." "They're definitively worse."Derrik and @robertmays share their thoughts on the Indianapolis Colts after the first week of free agency. pic.twitter.com/tJgmwy4G6C — The Athletic Football Show (@TA_FootballShow) March 16, 2026 In a scathing assessment, NFL analyst Gordon McGuinness slammed the Colts for their inability to retain key players and make impactful additions. "All you've done is lose players," McGuinness remarked. The Colts have seen important contributors like Braden Smith and Matt Pryor depart, and they have not replaced them with enough talent to justify the losses. In an offseason where teams are actively bolstering their rosters for a championship push, the Colts have failed to make similar strides. Steichen, who came to Indianapolis with high expectations following his successful tenure as offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles, has yet to deliver on the promise of transforming the Colts into a Super Bowl contender. Despite acquiring some mid-tier signings, there have been no blockbuster deals to elevate the Colts' roster to the next level. One of the most glaring issues has been the loss of several key players without substantial replacements. The departure of Braden Smith, a stalwart on the offensive line, left a significant gap in the Colts' protection scheme. Additionally, Matt Pryor, a versatile offensive lineman, also took his talents elsewhere, leaving Steichen and the front office scrambling to find a solution. "While other teams are making bold moves, the Colts have been sitting on their hands," McGuinness said. "They're not making the big moves they need to stay competitive in the AFC South, let alone the entire league." As free agency continues, the pressure is mounting on Shane Steichen and the Colts to turn things around. The team needs to act swiftly to avoid falling further behind their competitors. The lack of urgency shown by the Colts in this offseason is raising questions about their future, and whether Steichen can get the Colts back on track before it’s too late. With the NFL Draft on the horizon, the Colts are left with little room to make major moves and will have to rely on young talent to fill the holes in their roster. However, if their free agency period is any indication, the path to success in 2026 might be more challenging than anticipated.