The Indianapolis Colts are facing a much tougher 2024 season than expected.

With a 5-7 record after a disheartening 24-6 loss to the Lions in Week 12, the Colts’ struggles are becoming more evident.

Entering the game as heavy underdogs, they were unable to get their offense going at all. As a result, changes could be on the horizon for the team.

When asked about the performance of the offensive line after Sunday’s loss, Colts head coach Shane Steichen acknowledged that adjustments could be made.

Steichen responded candidly, emphasizing the team’s need for improvement while expressing his confidence in the players. “Yeah, we’ll look at the offensive line. We’ll look at everything,” Steichen said, as quoted by James Boyd of The Athletic.

“But again, I got a lot of faith in those guys. Man, they’re gonna keep battling like crazy. We’ll be fine.”

Throughout the season, the Colts have already made several changes, notably at quarterback. Indianapolis initially benched rookie QB Anthony Richardson in favor of veteran Joe Flacco, only to bring Richardson back into the starting role.

This decision paid off when Richardson led the team to a win over the Jets in Week 11, but it remains to be seen if more changes are needed after the loss to Detroit.

With only a few weeks left in the regular season, the Colts may not have many options left to adjust.

In discussing Richardson’s development, rookie wide receiver Josh Downs reflected on how the benching might have helped the young QB. “I think it matured him a little bit just talking with him,” Downs said.

“It was tough, of course, nobody wants to be benched, but I think AR is doing the same thing. He just needed to refocus and go back to the basics.”

Downs also took the opportunity to praise Richardson’s athleticism and physicality, recalling a play from the previous game where Richardson, under pressure, shrugged off a 300-pound defender and delivered a key throw.

“Dude really has abnormal strength,” Downs said, emphasizing Richardson’s rare ability to perform under duress.

If Richardson can harness his potential, he could develop into a truly dangerous NFL quarterback in the near future.