Pat McAfee, former Indianapolis Colts punter turned media personality, has never been shy about sharing his unfiltered opinions—especially when it comes to his former team. Recently, McAfee weighed in on the frustration voiced by Colts captain Kenny Moore, who publicly stated that the team “isn’t working hard.” After the Colts’ embarrassing loss to the Buffalo Bills, Moore expressed concerns about the team’s effort and lack of urgency, claiming that no one in the building was putting in the necessary work
For McAfee, Moore’s comments were both telling and troubling, and he didn’t hold back when it came to analyzing the situation. “I was disgusted by it,” McAfee said on his podcast. “To hear a guy like Kenny Moore, one of the leaders of that team, say that the team isn’t working hard—it’s a slap in the face to the fans, to the city, and to the people who still believe in this organization.”
The Lack of Effort: A Growing Problem for the Colts
McAfee, who spent years with the Colts and has a deep connection to the team, didn’t mince words when discussing the culture problem that seems to be plaguing the team. “You can’t have a guy like Kenny Moore, who’s been in the league for years and knows what it takes to win, coming out and saying that the team isn’t working hard. That’s a major issue,” McAfee said. “It shows that there’s a fundamental problem inside that building. And frankly, it’s not just about the players—it’s about the leadership.”
He went on to stress that it’s not just about physical effort, but mental effort and accountability. According to McAfee, the lack of urgency Moore mentioned is a reflection of poor leadership at both the coaching level and the front office. “When you hear stuff like that, it’s clear the coaching staff isn’t demanding the best out of these players,” McAfee said. “And if the coaches aren’t pushing the players to be better, then you’ve got to question what’s going on with the leadership, from ownership down to the head coach.”
A Deep-Cultural Issue at the Colts’ Core
While McAfee acknowledged that the Colts have talent, he emphasized that talent alone doesn’t win games in the NFL. “You can have all the talent in the world, but if the culture’s not right, if the mindset’s not there, it’s all for nothing,” he said. McAfee pointed out that over the years, the Colts have been plagued by inconsistencies and a lack of discipline—both on and off the field.
“The Colts have had problems with this for years. Whether it was the Frank Reich era or now, there’s been a trend of guys being late to meetings, guys showing up unprepared, and a general lack of accountability,” McAfee said. “At some point, that falls on the coaches, and ultimately on the front office. You can’t just blame the players when the culture inside the building is broken.”
For McAfee, Moore’s statement represents a culmination of those issues—a team with so much potential, yet unable to put in the necessary effort to succeed. “You look at this Colts team, and it’s clear that they’re underachieving,” McAfee said. “There’s no excuse for this kind of performance. When you have a captain of the team speaking out like this, it should be a wake-up call for everyone involved.”
Is the Colts Organization at a Crossroads?
McAfee also pointed out that the Colts might be at a crossroads, where hard decisions need to be made. “I’m a huge fan of Indianapolis and this franchise, but you can’t keep going down this path and expect different results. Something’s gotta change,” McAfee said. He went on to discuss the importance of a coaching staff that demands respect and a front office that knows how to build a winning culture.
For McAfee, the Colts’ issues extend beyond just this season. He believes that the team’s lack of commitment to excellence and professionalism has been a long-standing problem, and it’s something that needs to be addressed at every level. “At the end of the day, it’s about culture. It’s about effort. And it’s about accountability,” McAfee said. “The Colts are going to have to make some tough decisions moving forward. If they don’t, it’s going to be the same thing year after year—flashes of potential but never reaching their true potential.”
McAfee’s Call for a Complete Reset
In true McAfee fashion, he didn’t shy away from suggesting a radical solution to the Colts’ ongoing problems. “Maybe it’s time for a complete reset,” he said. “Maybe it’s time to clean house, start fresh, and bring in a new coaching staff that can establish a real culture of winning.” He argued that the team needed to bring in someone who can instill discipline and hold players accountable, from the front office down to the locker room.
For McAfee, the root of the Colts’ problems is deeper than just poor on-field performances; it’s a reflection of systemic failures within the organization. He believes that until the Colts can change their approach to leadership and professionalism, they will continue to struggle. “The team needs to figure out how to work together, how to play with urgency, and how to be professionals. Until that happens, it’s going to be the same old story,” McAfee said.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
Pat McAfee’s reaction to Kenny Moore’s comments is a passionate plea for change. While McAfee remains a fan of the Colts and is hopeful for the team’s future, his frustration is clear. The Colts’ issues are multifaceted, but at the core of it all is a lack of effort, leadership, and accountability—a toxic combination that has held the team back for too long.
The Colts have a lot of work to do. Whether it’s bringing in a new coaching staff, overhauling the roster, or re-establishing a culture of discipline and professionalism, it’s clear that change is needed. As McAfee said, “At some point, you’ve got to figure it out, or it’s never going to work.” The question now is: will the Colts figure it out before it’s too late?
