Two of my favorite things came together to release the 2026 NFL schedule for the Indianapolis Colts. These releases have become more elaborate over the years as the teams in charge of these releases have to feel pressure to not only top last year’s version but to compete against the entire league. I don’t know what is out there from other teams yet, but the Colts teaming up with “The Simpsons” was fun to watch.
The actual schedule release used clips from episodes of “The Simpsons”. That was entertaining, but the real draw was the opening theme. Starting with the iconic “The Simpsons” and adapting it to “The Schedule”, things got off on the right foot. It was hard to catch most of the details the first time through, but watching it again revealed a lot of hidden nuggets like the tire fire that was the 2025 Colts schedule release. From “For the City, For the Boss, For the Shoe,” on the plaque under Jebediah Springfield, to Jonathan Taylor replacing Lard Lad with Yard Lad, and Krusty the Clown promoting fries cooked in Lucas Oil, the first ten seconds were jam-packed.
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Of course it didn’t stop there. “We will not include Tyreek Hill in these videos” took center stage on Bart’s chalkboard, harkening back to last year’s SNAFU. The best part had to be the “Days Without a Win In Jacksonville” counter at the power plant which read 4,252. A nod to Peyton Manning on the band room poster seemed like a must, but the ending put the perfect cherry on top. With the linemen crunched together on the couch, Bernhard Raimann asks, “Who’s the skinny guy?”, making Homer blush.
Times have certainly changed as NFL schedules being released is now an event. The spectacle and creativity is at a level we have never seen before. This may be a newer trend for the NFL, but the Colts turned to an entrenched part of American television to help deliver the news. Chef’s kiss to the blend that was the Indianapolis Colts 2026 schedule, brought to you by “The Simpsons”.