The Colts had a mini-fire sale in recent weeks, trading away four starters for future assets.
Quarterback Daniel Jones, not surprisingly, isn’t thrilled by the decision to send guard Quenton Nelson, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, receiver Keenan Allen, and receiver Josh Downs to other teams.
“I mean, honestly, you’re not you’re not happy to see it, right?” Jones said. “You’re a player and you’re going out there competing and doing everything you can to win games. So you’re not happy to see a lot of those decisions, and — but like I said, it’s outside of our control, and our job is to play, be prepared, and play well. So, like I said, we got a lot of trust in the guys coming in to those spots, and we’ll be ready to go.”
It’s a bad situation for the players who remain, since it will be harder for them to win with backups thrust into the lineup. But that’s how it works whenever a non-contender admits its situation and trades players.
Those who remain have to keep going, trying to win games even if they get the impression that the front office doesn’t really care.
And even though the Jets hold the Colts’ first-round pick, a bad season for Indianapolis will result in a higher spot in every round. As the Colts embark on a rebuild, it’s not crazy to think the front office hopes to sink as low in the standings as possible, since that will enhance the priority of the picks they have.
The Jets will welcome that, since they have the Colts’ first-round pick. Thanks to the failed trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner.