Nick Foles’ disastrous start was latest debacle for Colts team on road to nowhere

The Colts crossed off the “Nick Foles begins a sport” area on their 2022 bingo board, and the outcomes had been in line with every thing he has finished since his magical 2017 Tremendous Bowl run with the Eagles. Foles threw for 149 yards and three interceptions, and the Colts seemed extra lifeless than traditional, shedding to the Chargers, 20-3.

Nonetheless, interim head coach Jeff Saturday mentioned after the sport the beginning quarterback job remains to be Foles’ – regardless of the crew’s second-lowest offensive output of the yr.

“Six extra days till you’re again on the market,” Saturday informed Foles, per The Athletic.

It’s one other unusual growth in a season that has been filled with them. Indianapolis was largely thought of to be a playoff crew and potential contender earlier than the season started, buying and selling for Falcons veteran quarterback Matt Ryan within the offseason. Nonetheless, it has been one debacle after one other for the reason that common season began.

Ryan was benched for second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger in October, with head coach Frank Reich getting the ax a short while later. Reich was stunningly changed by Saturday, who had no prior teaching expertise in any respect. Ryan was later re-instated, then benched once more for Foles.

The Colts, now 4-10-1, and are headed into the offseason with no stability – and no clue at quarterback or head coach.

The quotes popping out of the locker room after Indianapolis’ “Monday Evening Soccer” loss mirrored a confused group.

“It’s powerful. What’s it, Week 16?” vast receiver Parris Campbell informed The Athletic. “[Foles] by no means anticipated to play. You gotta tip your cap to him. Yeah, it wasn’t the end result everybody needed at this time, however having the ability to get able to go play a sport and mentally put together this late within the season, the place our season is, you gotta tip your hat to him as a result of that’s what professionals do.”

When Foles himself was requested if he was wanting to be beginning a sport for Indianapolis this season, his reply was blunt.

“After I got here right here, this was Matt Ryan’s crew, and I nonetheless assume Matt’s an amazing participant. I believe the world of Matt,” Foles mentioned. “So, the reply isn’t any. … I used to be by no means champing on the bit as a result of I used to be there to assist Matt, and I needed Matt to succeed.”

“I don’t assume anyone anticipated this,” Sam Ehlinger added, sitting alone at his locker.

Nobody expects to be 4-10-1 on the finish of the season, and that response was certainly extra geared towards the crew’s lack of success all year long than who’s beginning at quarterback. Nonetheless, it’s laborious to discover a messier crew within the NFL than the Colts – and Monday night time didn’t make something higher.