The latest SB Nation Reacts survey shows a significant decline in confidence among Indianapolis Colts fans, with just 31 percent believing the franchise is headed in the right direction. That’s a substantial 16-percentage-point drop from last week’s 47 percent, suggesting that whatever optimism emerged following the firing of general manager Chris Ballard has quickly begun to fade.
Last week’s results suggested that fans were beginning to regain some hope following Ballard’s dismissal, despite the
team’s embarrassing loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. However, another disappointing performance against the Minnesota Vikings did little to improve the mood surrounding the franchise. Indianapolis fell 16-10 on Sunday, dropping to 2-5 and extending its losing streak to three games. While the defense kept the Colts competitive throughout the afternoon, another ineffective offensive performance raised further questions about Shane Steichen’s ability to turn things around with Daniel Jones under center.
The situation became even more complicated Tuesday when Indianapolis traded two of its most accomplished veterans, sending eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. In return, the Colts acquired a 2027 third-round pick, a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round selection. The moves represented a significant shift in the organization’s approach, suggesting that Indianapolis is now prioritizing the future rather than attempting to salvage an increasingly disappointing season.
While accumulating draft capital could prove beneficial in the long run, losing two of the franchise’s best players undoubtedly creates additional uncertainty. Nelson had been a cornerstone of the offensive line since 2018, while Buckner remained one of the defense’s most reliable contributors (maybe the most reliable). Their departures leave significant holes on both sides of the football, and with wide receiver Josh Downs reportedly requesting a trade as well, there is growing speculation that additional veterans could be moved before the November 10 trade deadline.
The decline to 31 percent reflects a fan base with plenty of reasons to question where the organization is headed, although the results do not tell us which developments influenced individual voters. Some may welcome the decision to begin rebuilding through the draft, while others are understandably frustrated with the prospect of another lengthy transition after years of disappointing results. With Indianapolis also lacking its first-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft following the Sauce Gardner trade, whoever takes over as general manager will face considerable challenges in rebuilding the roster.
For now, the Colts still have ten games remaining and an opportunity to show some progress under Steichen. However, with the franchise increasingly focused on the future and uncertainty surrounding several of its remaining stars, restoring confidence among fans will likely require more than a few organizational changes. Indianapolis needs to demonstrate that it has a clear plan for returning to contention, something that has been missing for far too long.
