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Amid rumors of departures to rejuvenate the roster, the Colts’ $70 million veteran star leaves Indianapolis emotional after expressing his willingness to take a pay cut to stay and fulfill a lifelong promise

Indianapolis, Indiana – As the wave of roster rejuvenation spreads across the NFL, the Indianapolis Colts have not stood outside that current. Reports surrounding potential separations from veteran players have continued to surface, and the name Braden Smith quickly became a focal point. But amid all the speculation, Smith chose a response that left an entire city silent — not through complaint, but through sacrifice.

Across eight seasons in a Colts uniform, Smith has embodied stability and professionalism on the right side of the offensive line. However, harsh reality now surrounds him. Smith has missed 23 games over the past five seasons, and a concussion during the 2025 campaign forced him to end his season early. For a team looking toward the future, those numbers cannot be ignored, especially when personnel decisions carry franchise-shaping consequences.
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That reality became even clearer when rookie Jalen Travis stepped in and performed reliably as the replacement right tackle. Travis’ snaps gave the coaching staff reason to believe Indianapolis could move forward with a younger core and reduced injury risk. And with that belief, Smith’s future — despite years of contribution — suddenly felt more uncertain than ever.

Yet just as many believed a separation was inevitable, Smith spoke words that brought the Colts locker room to a standstill. “I’ve been here for eight seasons. I grew up with this organization,” Smith said. “I don’t want to finish my career anywhere else. If that means I have to sacrifice, restructure my contract, I’m ready. I want to leave the NFL as a Colts legend — not a forgotten name.”

In a league where money often defines value, Braden Smith’s choice carries a different meaning. The Colts may continue to get younger. They may make cold, calculated decisions for the future. But they now face a deeper question: is there still room for loyalty and legacy during a rebuild? For Smith, the answer is already clear. He isn’t asking for more money. He’s asking for more time — to honor the promise he made to the team he has called home for his entire career.

 

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Just Hours After Mocking 49ers Fans as “BANDWAGONERS,” the Philadelphia Eagles Saw Their Season End in Bitter Fashion — A Viral Video That Sent the NFL Into a Frenzy
Just hours before kickoff of their Wild Card playoff game, the parking lots surrounding the home stadium of the Philadelphia Eagles were overflowing with confidence — bordering on arrogance. A video posted on X by @MLFootball quickly went viral, showing a group of teenagers and children in green Eagles jerseys surrounding and taunting fans of the San Francisco 49ers in a tailgating area outside the stadium. “BANDWAGONERS! BANDWAGONERS! BANDWAGONERS!” the group shouted repeatedly, dancing, raising their arms, and mixing in profanity. The scene was loud, chaotic, and unmistakably Philly — a fan base fully convinced its team was about to cruise through the first round of the playoffs. Within hours, the clip had spread across social media and ignited conversation throughout the NFL community. YIKES: These young #Eagles fans have gone viral as they were taunting #49ers fans… yelling, cursing… calling them…“BANDWAGONERS. BANDWAGONERS. BANDWAGONERS”😬😬😬Only Philly fans.pic.twitter.com/byIISlhxbi — MLFootball (@MLFootball) January 11, 2026 But the NFL has a long memory — especially when it comes to receipts. When the game began, the 49ers chose the most painful response possible: letting the football do the talking. They ignored the noise, stayed composed, and dictated the game with discipline and poise. San Francisco dragged Philadelphia into long, grinding drives, slowly wearing down both the Eagles’ defense and their confidence, before striking decisively when it mattered most. The 49ers didn’t need a blowout to assert control. Each time the Eagles threatened to swing momentum, San Francisco shut the door. Key defensive stops, methodical execution, and timely scoring chipped away at the energy inside Lincoln Financial Field, turning a roaring crowd into a restless one. After the game, a 49ers fan was overheard summing it up with a quiet sense of satisfaction:“We let them talk before the game. That’s fine. Around here, the only response that matters is going out there and winning. Nothing else needs to be said.” The final score told the story: 49ers 23, Eagles 19. In the NFL’s single-elimination playoff format, the loss meant immediate elimination. No second chances. No do-overs. One night was enough to bring the Eagles’ season to a sudden halt. The sting was even sharper given the context. Philadelphia entered the game as the defending Super Bowl champions, the NFC’s No. 3 seed, and the home team. Yet when the pressure peaked, they faltered. San Francisco, the No. 6 seed, played with the calm, efficiency, and maturity of a team comfortable in January football. The once-viral “BANDWAGONERS” video began circulating again — this time with a different tone. What started as pregame bravado became a symbol of irony. Just hours separated the taunts in the parking lot from the silence of elimination. The NFL, once again, delivered a familiar lesson: every word can come back around. While Philadelphia was left to reckon with a stunning early exit, the 49ers quietly boarded their flight out of town, advancing to the Divisional Round for a matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. No excessive celebration. No verbal rebuttal. Just football — and a reminder that in the NFL, you might laugh first, but winning always has the final say.