“Think I Give A F**k What He Has To Say?”” – Jonathan Taylor Fires Back at Troy Aikman After Colts’ Loss to Texans on ESPN

Indianapolis, Indiana – January 5, 2026

The Indianapolis Colts’ frustrating Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans didn’t end with the final whistle. Instead, the postgame fallout intensified when Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor publicly pushed back against comments made by Troy Aikman during ESPN’s national broadcast.

The defeat capped a disappointing finish to the season and reopened questions about the Colts’ direction heading into the offseason. Still, Taylor remained one of the few consistent bright spots, carrying the offense with physical runs and effort as Indianapolis tried to keep pace. It wasn’t enough, though, as Houston controlled the game late and closed it out.

During the broadcast, Aikman criticized Indianapolis’ offensive approach, suggesting the Colts leaned too heavily on Taylor and implying his recent impact had been overstated against a disciplined Texans defense. The comment passed quickly on air — but it clearly didn’t sit well with Taylor.

Shortly after the game, Taylor took to social media with a blunt response that spread rapidly across NFL circles.

“You think I give a damn what Troy Aikman has to say?” Taylor wrote. “Put on the tape. Every play. Every carry. Don’t talk about effort or impact if you’re not really watching what’s happening out there.”

The post ignited immediate reaction, splitting fans between those applauding Taylor for standing his ground and those who felt the tone crossed a line toward a Hall of Fame quarterback turned broadcaster.

From the booth, Aikman had focused on the Colts’ inability to sustain drives and dictate tempo in key moments, arguing that Houston was able to scheme Taylor out of the game. Taylor, however, viewed the critique as oversimplified and unfairly personal.

Inside the Colts’ locker room, Taylor’s response echoed a broader frustration. Indianapolis showed flashes throughout the season but struggled with consistency, particularly against division rivals. For a core still fighting for identity and respect, criticism on a national stage can cut deep.

Taylor did not walk back his remarks, later adding:
“I’ll always take responsibility for my play. But I won’t accept lazy narratives.”

As of now, Aikman has not publicly responded, and ESPN declined to comment on the exchange.

For the Indianapolis Colts, the moment highlights a growing reality: their leaders no longer want to be talked about — they want to be taken seriously. Whether Taylor’s outburst becomes a footnote or a defining moment will depend on what follows. One thing is clear: the Colts’ offseason hasn’t even begun, and the noise is already loud.