Just 24 Hours After Signing With the Colts, Former Saints Kicker Blake Grupe Shocks the NFL by Declaring He Will Never Return to New Orleans — And the Story Behind It Has Saints Nation Furious

Indianapolis, Indiana – 12/05/2025

It took only one day after signing with the Indianapolis Colts for Blake Grupe to become the most controversial figure in the NFL this week. A kicker released by the New Orleans Saints for poor performance suddenly ignited a firestorm with a statement that sent shockwaves through the league — and unleashed the fury of Saints Nation.

Joining the Colts — a team leading the AFC South and pushing toward the playoffs — Grupe appeared to land on his feet quickly. But instead of offering humility or focusing on his fresh start, he immediately thrust himself into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. In his first media availability, Grupe spoke about “finally playing meaningful football” and being “part of a team working toward something real” — comments Saints fans and analysts quickly recognized as a direct shot at New Orleans.

And then came the line that stunned everyone:

“There are doors that, once you walk through, you know you’ll never go back… and I walked through that door in New Orleans; sometimes you have to leave to find where you truly belong, and the Colts gave me that feeling within hours; I don’t regret the decision — if anything, it says more than people think.”

For a kicker who finished dead last in the NFL in field goal percentage among players with at least 20 attempts, the remark wasn’t just bold — it was viewed as outright arrogant. Saints Nation erupted instantly. Former players, reporters, and fans all pointed out the same truth: Grupe wasn’t “held back” in New Orleans — he was cut because he couldn’t perform. Several internal sources even noted the team worked extensively to support him, but he failed to meet the fundamental expectations of the position.

“He talks like he was rescued from somewhere,” one Saints staff member (who requested anonymity) said. “But the reality is, we just made the decision every team makes when a kicker keeps missing.”

Meanwhile, the Colts have remained composed, believing a change of scenery might help Grupe regain confidence. But in the eyes of Saints Nation, the damage is done — and any bridge back to New Orleans has been obliterated.

A kicker leaves.
A careless statement follows.
And an entire fanbase erupts.

The NFL has seen its share of drama, but few have burned a bridge faster than Blake Grupe — all within 24 hours.