Late season bye provides little rest for Colts on 2026 schedule
TL;DR
The Indianapolis Colts face a challenging 2026 NFL schedule with limited rest. Despite having the option for a bye week after an international game, they chose not to take it following their Week 4 matchup against Washington.
Key points
- Colts have limited rest in the 2026 NFL season.
- They chose not to take a bye week after playing Washington in Week 4.
- Teams are 10-6 when not taking a bye after London games.
The Indianapolis Colts will have to endure a long stretch of games without much of a rest during the 2026 NFL season.
Team's who play an international game have the option of taking their bye the following week after all that travel and being out of their usual routine. But with the Colts playing Washington in Week 4, Indianapolis elected not to take the bye in Week 5.
For what it's worth, however, JJ Stankevitz of Colts.com pointed out that teams are 10-6 following games in London when they chose not to take their bye week.
So, if the Colts' bye isn't in Week 5, where did it end up landing on the schedule?
Week 13. The second-to-last week of the season when a bye can take place.
That means the Colts must play 12 consecutive weeks to start the season, which includes a trip to London during the early portion.
A bit of reprieve may come after Week 11, when the Colts face the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football. That will provide them with a mini-bye heading into Week 12.
That said, it will be a grueling stretch of games for the Colts to get to the bye week. The opportunity to get healthy if needed or hit the pause button if things aren't going well won't really exist for a large portion of the season.
A strong start to the season feels like a must, although accomplishing that will come with its challenges as well.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL schedule release: Colts face a late season bye week
Q&A
Why did the Colts not take a bye week after their London game in 2026?
The Colts opted not to take their bye week after the London game against Washington in Week 4, despite having the option available.
What are the implications of the Colts' late-season bye in 2026?
The Colts will face a long stretch of games without much rest, which could impact their performance as the season progresses.
How have NFL teams performed after not taking a bye week following a London game?
Teams that have played in London and chose not to take a bye week have a record of 10-6, indicating a mixed performance.
