Former NFL offensive tackle Joe Thomas didn’t hold back when it came to the Indianapolis Colts’ decision to hire Jeff Saturday as the interim head coach.
Saturday, who has no coaching experience beyond a few years at the high school level, was certainly a surprise selection by owner Jim Irsay. It was a decision that likely stemmed from impulse and is one of the more unprecedented moves in the league’s history.
But Thomas took it a step further, calling it “the most egregious thing I can ever remember happening in the NFL.”
Joe Thomas does not hold back here
🎥 @gmfb pic.twitter.com/gxcFjGetcS
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 11, 2022
While the move was unprecedented and even a bit disrespectful to Frank Reich, calling it the “most egregious thing” to happen in the NFL is a bit of a stretch. There have been far bigger issues the league has dealt with than the hiring of a former player with no coaching experience.
Irsay certainly deserves blame for acting impulsively and without rationale, but it’s hard to blame Saturday for taking the opportunity. He’s made it clear he has a love for Indianapolis and a passion for being a leader, and it’s not like he’s a nobody. Saturday, after all, did earn six Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro selections while working with Peyton Manning.
The coaching life is undoubtedly a grind, and it’s one that takes full commitment.
So while Irsay’s motivation and rationale are extremely questionable, we shouldn’t be blaming Saturday for jumping at the chance to coach in the NFL.
And the move, while unprecedented, certainly should not be regarded as “the most egregious thing” to happen in the league.
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