Colts' Shane Steichen Will 'Evaluate Everything' After 42-7 Loss to Jaguars, Including Daniel Jones' Job

Jacksonville’s 42-7 rout of Indianapolis on Sunday was the Colts’ largest margin of defeat in nearly four years, according to Colts.com. By Sunday night, the questions in Indianapolis had moved past the game itself to the quarterback, the coaching staff and how much more change is coming.

“We got out-coached. We got out-played.”

Coach Shane Steichen didn’t soften it. “We got out-coached. We got out-played,” he said in a postgame clip shared by WISH-TV, per Colts Wire.

Asked whether Daniel Jones is still the starting quarterback, Steichen said: “I’m going to evaluate everything, every position going forward.”

He also made effort an issue. “The effort and the energy has to be there every week,” Steichen said. “If not, you’re going to get beat like that.” Asked how the team pulls out of it, he said: “We’re going to find out who loves ball.”

Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson Sr.

Jones went 19 of 28 for 144 yards with a touchdown to Josh Downs and two interceptions. One bounced through the hands of tight end Tyler Warren and became Rayuan Lane III’s 92-yard pick-six just before halftime. The other was picked off by linebacker Branson Combs in the second half.

“Not a good throw,” Jones said of the second one. “We got to get it higher over that linebacker.” He added that his focus is on fixing the team’s problems, not on his job status.

Colts.com stressed that Jones’ effort wasn’t the issue. He chased Lane all the way to the end zone on the pick-six.

Anthony Richardson Sr. replaced Jones early in the fourth quarter. It was his first regular-season snap in over a year. Colts.com said it was not a mid-game change of starter. With the Colts down 35 points, Jacksonville had already pulled Trevor Lawrence, and Indianapolis also rested running back Jonathan Taylor in favor of rookie Seth McGowan and DJ Giddens.

By the numbers: The Colts have 15 turnovers in eight games, nine of them interceptions, per Colts.com.

Quinn Ewers mops up for Jacksonville

The blowout gave the Jaguars a chance to rest their starters. Backup quarterback Quinn Ewers came in for Lawrence once the lead reached 35 points, Colts.com reported. Jacksonville (5-2) had led 28-0 at halftime and 35-0 in the third quarter.

The Colts owner and a season coming apart

The pressure is on the front office as well. Owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon relieved general manager Chris Ballard of his duties on Oct. 19 after a 2-4 start, according to Pro Football Network. The Colts have since traded guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

No public comment from Irsay-Gordon on Sunday’s loss had been reported as of late Sunday. Commentators have started speculating about further changes. Former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe posted that “Mrs. Irsay” is about to “fire some more” people, and Pro Football Network wrote that pressure on Steichen is growing. That is opinion, not reporting: no coaching change has been announced.

The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4 PM ET. Pro Football Network reported the Colts would prefer to keep Taylor, but his future is uncertain.

Colts vs. Jaguars: what’s next

At 2-6, the Colts have lost four straight. Their next four games, per NFL.com:

• Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 8, 1:00 PM ET (FOX)
• Week 10: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 15, 1:00 PM ET (CBS)
• Week 11: at Houston Texans, Thursday, Nov. 19, 8:15 PM ET (Prime Video)
• Week 12: vs. New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 29, 1:00 PM ET (FOX)

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Earlier coverage: Jaguars Rout Colts 42-7: Trevor Lawrence Throws 3 TDs, Bhayshul Tuten Breaks Out (Nov 1)