Just 10 Hours After Colts Decline to Re-Sign, Former RT Braden Smith Shocks NFL with Leadership Scandal – And Jalen Travis’ Contract Becomes the "Last Straw"

Indianapolis – January 2026

Just 10 hours after the Indianapolis Colts officially declined to re-sign former right tackle Braden Smith, he shocked the entire NFL. What initially seemed like a routine player change quickly escalated into a full-blown controversy about leadership and organizational culture, leaving Colts fans angrier than they had been in years.

According to multiple sources, Smith was informed of the decision as part of a broader overhaul of the team under new head coach Jalen Travis. However, what made the situation explosive was not just the decision itself — but the speed and manner in which it unfolded. Just a short time after Smith’s departure, the Colts finalized the deal with Jalen Travis to replace him as the team’s new right tackle.

On paper, signing Travis was purely a football move. A young, promising player who had shown strong performances in the past, Travis is highly regarded for his flexibility and modern tactical mindset. Yet, the timing changed everything. For many inside and outside the organization, the quick announcement signaled that Smith hadn’t just been replaced — he had been pushed out, without the courtesy typically associated with the Colts’ long-standing traditions.

Soon after, Smith broke his silence with a statement that reverberated throughout the league, sending Colts Nation into a frenzy:

“There are teams that make you understand your value without needing to say much. And then there are places… where the best memories are meant to stay in the past. I respect what I gave, but one thing I know for sure — my journey will never return to Indianapolis.”

The reaction was immediate and intense. Importantly, the outrage wasn’t directed at Jalen Travis. Instead, it focused squarely on the Colts' leadership and how the transition had been handled. For many fans, this was no longer just about losing a right tackle — it was about losing the standard of respect the franchise has long claimed as its foundation.

During his time with the Colts, Smith helped the team maintain a strong offensive line, providing solid protection for the offense and building a reputation as one of the most effective offensive teams in the AFC. He wasn’t perfect, but he was respected in the locker room and deeply familiar with Indianapolis’s culture.

Meanwhile, the Colts’ front office has remained silent. No public explanation has been offered, and that silence has only fueled the perception that the issue wasn’t in the decision itself, but in the way it was executed.

The Colts have chosen their future with Jalen Travis. But the cost has been a bitter and highly public breakup — one that has exposed rare cracks in the image of a franchise built on stability, loyalty, and tradition. This time, the Colts' biggest challenge isn’t coming from an opposing defense — it’s coming from within.