“Everyone Needs to Be Accountable”: Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson Agree With Pat McAfee’s Sharp Criticism of the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts had yet another unsuccessful season, and Pat McAfee has unleashed a fiery rant on X following his former team’s failure to make the playoffs. He criticized the franchise’s poor work culture and also called out the fans for seeing him as an enemy when he speaks out the truth.

The former punter listed all the glaring issues plaguing the Colts which came back to haunt them by season’s end. From work ethic to questions on preparation, and an uncalled for exit mid-game by their franchise QB, the list was pretty exhaustive.

Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson agreed with McAfee, while asserting that the team needs to have a standard that everyone must uphold.

“It’s hard when you lose to change the mindset. Standards got to be standards. Everybody got to be punctual, everyone needs to be on time, everybody needs to be accountable. Coaches you set the vision, you set the agenda, what is it you are trying to do,” said Shannon on Nightcap.

The co-hosts narrated how they maintained standards during their playing careers. Ocho illustrated it by presenting how no one was ever late for training or team meetings when he was with the New England Patriots.

Shannon pointed out his situation was similar when he played for the Denver Broncos under Mike Shanahan. The coach demanded accountability from everyone and players would pay the price for indiscipline. Shanahan led with an iron fist, monitoring everyone’s weight and giving orders to correct things he didn’t like.

That’s quite the opposite of what’s the norm at Indianapolis, going by McAfee’s comments.

McAfee makes his stance on the Colts crystal clear

Pat emphasized that his comments on X were driven by provocations from the fans. They were spreading inaccuracies while he was covering the Colts, which forced him to respond. He clarified that he has remained optimistic about the team’s potential and their efforts to improve, consistently praising them in his discussions.

McAfee highlighted his personal connection to the organization, noting his friendships with people inside and his regular attendance at games, while expressing a genuine desire for the franchise to succeed.

However, when it came to the players, he was less forgiving. McAfee called out certain players who have been with the team for years but have failed to deliver any meaningful success.

“A blind person could see the red flags on this team,” wrote McAfee in his post.

“Work ethic questions, NEVER happens on good teams… Preparation commitment questions, NEVER happens on good teams… Late to meetings, NEVER happens on good teams… Late to/skipping treatment, NEVER happens on good teams… The franchise QB tapped out of a game… on 3rd down… in the red zone… because he was tired… NEVER HAPPENED in the history of the NFL,” added McAfee. 

The biggest issue in Indianapolis is a lack of accountability, stated McAfee, while mentioning Anthony Richardson’s early exit from a game and his seemingly indifferent attitude as evidence of this. He also mentioned that this wasn’t the first time Richardson displayed such behavior, reinforcing the notion that the team lacks a strong work ethic and winning mentality.

McAfee asserted that he has been proven right about the Colts’ deeper issues. While he isn’t the only one to raise these concerns, and likely won’t be the last, McAfee’s previous association with the team intensifies the vitriol he receives since players and fans perceive it as a lack of loyalty.

Regardless, Pat is sticking to his guns. He stated that without significant changes, there isn’t a path forward for the franchise to reclaim its former glory.