Clapping and cheers echoed out of the home locker room and down the halls of Lucas Oil Stadium late Sunday afternoon, as the Colts celebrated their overtime victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Yes, the 2024 season was over. The Colts weren't going to be playing in the playoffs. Sunday's game didn't really mean anything – and yet, the locker room was a generally happy place. There were jokes, smiles (albeit somewhat sad ones), handshakes and words of congratulations exchanged.
Because Sunday's game actually meant a lot, in a lot of different ways.
For some guys, like wide receiver Alec Pierce, it was one more chance to show the kind of player he is – and can be – for the Colts.
For others, like wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and running back Jonathan Taylor, it showed the kind of fight and determination that can help carry a team through the offseason and inspire them to work even harder next year.
For everyone in the Colts locker room, it was a win. And sometimes, that's enough.
"Maybe you try to talk yourself into thinking these games don't mean a lot to ease your mind a little bit, but it's still an NFL game. It's still our profession," quarterback Joe Flacco said. "There's always something on the line. There's always a lot on the line to be honest with you. So, they all mean a lot. I know it didn't mean anything for the Colts in what we're doing this year, but a victory in this league, it goes a long way no matter what."
Sunday's 26-23 overtime win marked the first time the Colts have beaten the Jaguars since 2022. It was, by all accounts, a relatively positive game on which to finish their season. Taylor had 34 carries for 177 yards and a touchdown, ending the season with five straight 100-yard rushing games. Pierce had two reception for 57 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game; the third-year wide receiver will finish the season leading the NFL with 22.3 yards per reception and is the first player to average over 22 yards on at least since 37 catches since DeSean Jackson in 2010.
And, again, the bottom line was it was a hard-fought win.
"Our guys were pros about it all week, going about their business, and to get a victory at the end of the year was huge," head coach Shane Steichen said. "Obviously, not where we want to be. Obviously, we want to be in the playoffs. That part is disappointing, but I am proud of the way the guys fought this last game."
"It just shows it doesn't matter what the circumstance is, that we're gonna play hard," Pittman said. "Of course you want (the season) to go longer, but I'm glad we ended with a win."
That was the overwhelming feeling of the Colts' locker room on Sunday: satisfaction with a win, but sadness and disappointment that the season was over. Because nothing, not a division win or any personal accolades, can take away the thought of what could have been.
"It's tough, it's bittersweet," Taylor said. "Because we went off on a win versus a division opponent. We started off 2025 right, but we would've loved for that to happen and knowing hey, we still have a bigger goal, a bigger mission this season and that's not the case. So for us, trying to find peace in the win but also knowing there has to be a fire inside of you this offseason."
