INDIANAPOLIS – On a get-out day for players, DeForest Buckner felt the need to get a few things off his massive chest.
One of the unquestioned leaders of the Indianapolis Colts defense wasn’t the least bit satisfied with the product it put on the field in 2024.
Not the least bit.
“I think it was definitely a step back defensively, for sure,’’ Buckner said Monday. “Since I’ve been here, since I’ve been a Colt, it’s been our worst year defensively, for sure.’’
He was just getting warmed up.
In the eyes of the two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl tackle, the Colts have no one but themselves to blame for finishing near the bottom in several significant defensive categories: 29th in total yards (361.2), 24th against the run (131.8), 26th against the pass (229.4), 30th in stopping third downs (44.4%) and 24th in points allowed (25.1).
The defense allowed the most yards per game since 2017 (367.1) and the most on the ground since 2012 (137.5).
“At times it felt like we were just a bunch of individuals out there,’’ Buckner said. “And it looked like it, you know what I’m saying? I’m not going to shy away from it. I’m going to take ownership of it. It didn’t look like a unit out there and it showed. The times we did play like a unit, we did some good things.’’
Owner Jim Irsay ended mounting speculation Sunday night by announcing general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen will return for 2025. There’s been no such support for third-year defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
Steichen was asked about Bradley’s status.
“There’s no decision that’s been made yet,’’ he said, adding, “that’s part of the evaluation process.’’
Buckner’s criticism didn’t include Bradley.
He was asked the root of the defensive problem, and interrupted the question to spit out the answer.
“Ego,’’ Buckner said. “There’s times ego gets in the way. I feel like especially playing in our business – playing in the NFL at a high level and as a team – everybody needs to check their ego at the door. We all have it, especially as men in that locker room. We all have egos. But great teams, those guys sacrifice the egos and check it at the door.’’
Buckner said too often that Me First attitude was evident when he watched game video. He could “feel it . . . (and) see it on tape that it was a consistent problem. It wasn’t just one guy. It was a lot of guys.’’
He didn’t single out a player or players, but stressed “there was no consistency, no camaraderie defensively. I take ownership of that,’’ Buckner said. “I’m one of the leaders.’’
Whenever it was obvious someone put himself above the team, he was “called out’’ by others in meetings.
Buckner has been voted a team captain in each of the last four seasons. He’s been a pillar player since being acquired in a 2020 trade with the San Francisco 49ers. Cornerback Kenny Moore II and linebacker Zaire Franklin were also among eight captains.
“As leaders in the locker room, we’re holding guys accountable,’’ Buckner said. “You can ask my teammates. That’s one thing that I do on a weekly basis.’’
A maddening aspect of 2024 was the wide swings in performance.
The run defense was gutted for 474 yards in the first two games by Houston and Green Bay, and allowed at least 383 total yards in each of the first five games. But it kept several games winnable when the offense struggled: at Minnesota and at Denver.
And then there was nearly collapsing in week 16 at home against Tennessee – the Colts led 38-7 only to watch the Titans score 23 unanswered points – and the total collapse the following week on the road against the New York Giants. The defense allowed 38 points and 389 total yards to one of the NFL’s worst offenses in a 45-33 loss that eliminated the Colts from playoff consideration.
Journeyman Drew Lock slapped Indy’s defense for 309 passing yards and four TDs, and another rushing TD.
Also, the Colts were among the league leaders in missed tackles. Pro Football Focus has them with 171.
A strength of the 2024 Colts supposedly was returning all 22 starters from a ’23 squad that finished 9-8 and came within a few plays of winning the AFC South in the season finale at home against Houston. That included re-signing or extending several defensive players: Buckner, Franklin, Moore, Grover Stewart, Tyquan Lewis.
In hindsight, Buckner wondered whether there was enough legitimate competition at some positions.
“There’s definitely some comfortability in the building,’’ he said. “We’ve got to come with competition in all aspects in the building. You’ve got to continue to have guys on edge to compete.’’
Buckner pointed to the offseason and training camp competition faced by third-year wideout Alec Pierce. In the April draft, the Colts used a second-round pick on speedy wideout AD Mitchell to push Pierce for playing time.
While Mitchell struggled as a rookie – 23 receptions and 312 yards on 55 targets – Pierce enjoyed his best season. The 2022 second-round pick averaged an NFL-best 22.3 yards per catch while finishing with 37 catches, 824 yards and seven TDs. The latter two categories led the Colts.
“Look at AP,’’ Buckner said of Pierce. “They drafted AD this year in the second round and you saw AP’s game just elevate. We’ve all seen the glimpses and potential that he’s had and he was able to muster up one of his best seasons yet. He rose to the competition.’’
Buckner insisted there’s a “fine balance’’ between holding teammates accountable and babysitting them.
“I’ve got my own kids,’’ he said. “I’m not here to babysit nobody.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.