The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team located in Indianapolis, Indiana. They compete in the NFL as part of the American Football Conference's South division. The Colts have played their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium since 2008. From 1984 to 2007, the team played at the RCA Dome. Since 1987, the Colts have served as the host team for the NFL Scouting Combine.
1913: Dayton Triangles Established
The Dayton Triangles, one of the NFL's original teams, was established in 1913.
1920: Formation of the National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) was established in 1920.
1944: Boston Yanks Join NFL
The Boston Yanks joined the NFL in 1944.
1946: All-America Football Conference Inaugural Season
The All-America Football Conference (AAFC) commenced its inaugural season in 1946.
1946: All-America Football Conference Inaugural Season
The All-America Football Conference (AAFC) commenced its inaugural season in 1946.
1950: New York Yanks Join NFL
The New York Yanks, formed from a merger of previous teams, joined the NFL in 1950.
1950: Merger of AAFC and NFL
The AAFC merged with the NFL in 1950, with teams like the Baltimore Colts, San Francisco 49ers, and Cleveland Browns joining the league.
1953: Colts Begin Play in NFL Western Conference
From 1953 to 1966, the Indianapolis Colts competed in the NFL Western Conference but didn't develop major rivalries due to their geographical isolation as the easternmost team.
1953: Colts' Helmet Design
In 1953, the Colts' helmets were white with a blue stripe.
1953: Baltimore Colts Established
The Indianapolis Colts, originally the Baltimore Colts, were established in 1953 after Carroll Rosenbloom acquired the assets of the NFL's Dayton Triangles–Dallas Texans franchise.
1953: Baltimore Colts Established
The Indianapolis Colts, originally the Baltimore Colts, were established in 1953 after Carroll Rosenbloom acquired the assets of the NFL's Dayton Triangles–Dallas Texans franchise.
1953: Colts Begin Play in Baltimore
The newly formed Baltimore Colts played their first season in 1953, finishing with a 3-9 record under head coach Keith Molesworth.
1953: Baltimore Colts Established
The Indianapolis Colts, originally the Baltimore Colts, were established in 1953 after Carroll Rosenbloom acquired the assets of the NFL's Dayton Triangles–Dallas Texans franchise.
1954: Colts' Helmet Design
The Colts' helmets in 1954 were blue with a white stripe and a pair of horseshoes at the rear.
1955: Colts' Sock Design
The Colts wore white socks with two or three blue stripes from 1955 to 1958.
1956: Colts' Helmet Design
In 1956, the Colts reversed the colors on their helmets, featuring a white helmet with a blue stripe and horseshoes at the rear.
1957: Evolution of Colts' Uniforms
By 1957, the Colts' uniforms evolved to their present form, with the main changes being the removal of sleeve stripes, driven by advancements in materials.
1957: First Winning Season
The Baltimore Colts achieved their first winning season in 1957.
1957: Colts' Helmet Design
The Colts moved the horseshoes on their helmets to their current location, one on each side, in 1957.
1958: First NFL Championship Title & The Greatest Game
In 1958, The Colts, led by coach Weeb Ewbank and quarterback Johnny Unitas, achieved a 9-3 record and won their first NFL Championship, defeating the New York Giants in a game often considered one of the greatest in football history.
1958: Baltimore Colts' First NFL Championship Victory
In 1958, the Baltimore Colts achieved a significant milestone by winning their first NFL Championship title, defeating the favored New York Giants in a sudden-death overtime thriller.
1958: First NFL Championship Title
The Baltimore Colts, under head coach Weeb Ewbank and quarterback Johnny Unitas, won their first NFL Championship title in 1958 after defeating the New York Giants.
1958: Colts' Sock Design
The Colts continued wearing white socks with blue stripes until 1958.
1958: First NFL Championship Title & The Greatest Game
In 1958, The Colts, led by coach Weeb Ewbank and quarterback Johnny Unitas, achieved a 9-3 record and won their first NFL Championship, defeating the New York Giants in a game often considered one of the greatest in football history.
1959: Baltimore Colts Secure Back-to-Back Championships
The Baltimore Colts continued their dominance in 1959, replicating their previous year's success by securing their second consecutive NFL Championship title against the New York Giants.
1959: Second NFL Championship Title
The Colts secured their second consecutive NFL Championship title in 1959, once again triumphing over the New York Giants.
1959: Second NFL Championship Title
The Colts secured their second consecutive NFL Championship title in 1959, once again triumphing over the New York Giants.
1959: Second NFL Championship Title
The Colts secured their second consecutive NFL Championship title in 1959, once again triumphing over the New York Giants.
1961: Vikings Join NFL Western Conference
The Minnesota Vikings joined the NFL Western Conference in 1961, adding another team to the Colts' division.
1963: Don Shula's Coaching Transition Sparks Controversy
Don Shula's move from the Colts to the Miami Dolphins in 1963 ignited controversy, as it involved tampering rules and resulted in the Dolphins forfeiting their first-round draft pick to the Colts.
1963: Don Shula Becomes Head Coach
Don Shula was appointed as the head coach of the Colts in 1963.
1968: Third NFL Championship Title & Super Bowl III Appearance
Led by Unitas and head coach Don Shula, the Colts secured their third NFL Championship in 1968 and went on to play in Super Bowl III.
1968: Third NFL Championship Title & Super Bowl III Appearance
Led by Unitas and head coach Don Shula, the Colts secured their third NFL Championship in 1968 and went on to play in Super Bowl III.
1968: Super Bowl III Loss to the New York Jets
Despite being heavily favored, the Colts were defeated 16-7 by the New York Jets in Super Bowl III in 1968, marking the first Super Bowl victory for the AFL.
1968: Baltimore Colts Reclaim NFL Supremacy
In 1968, the Baltimore Colts reasserted their position as a football powerhouse by clinching the NFL title, marking a shift in the balance of power within the league.
1970: Last Super Bowl Appearance
The Colts' victory in Super Bowl XLI was their first Super Bowl appearance since 1970 and the first for the Indianapolis-based team.
1970: AFL-NFL Merger
The Baltimore Colts joined the American Football Conference (AFC) as part of the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
1970: AFL-NFL Merger
The Baltimore Colts joined the American Football Conference (AFC) as part of the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
1970: Baltimore Colts Secure First AFC Division Title
Led by quarterback Earl Morrall, the Baltimore Colts made history in 1970 by becoming the first non-AFL team to win a division title in the newly formed American Football Conference (AFC).
1970: First Super Bowl Victory & AFC Championship Title
The Colts, under new coach Don McCafferty, dominated the newly formed AFC in 1970, winning the AFC Championship and defeating the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V for their first Super Bowl victory.
1970: Colts and Patriots Become Division Rivals
The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots became division rivals in 1970, a rivalry that would later intensify significantly.
1971: Playoff Appearance & AFC Championship Loss
In 1971, the Colts made it to the playoffs but lost to the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Championship game.
1971: Miami Dolphins Edge Out Colts in Tight Division Race
The Colts and Dolphins engaged in a fierce battle for divisional supremacy in 1971, with Miami ultimately securing the title with a 10-3-1 record, narrowly edging out the 10-4 Colts.
1971: Colts' Postseason Streak Ends
The Colts' streak of consecutive postseason appearances ended in 1971.
July 13, 1972: Robert Irsay Becomes Owner of the Colts
On July 13, 1972, Robert Irsay became the owner of the Baltimore Colts after a franchise trade with Carroll Rosenbloom, the former owner of the Los Angeles Rams.
September 24, 1972: Namath Outduels Unitas in Passing Spectacle
On September 24, 1972, Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas engaged in a memorable passing duel, with Namath's six touchdowns leading the Jets to a 44-34 victory over the Colts.
1975: Colts Secure Playoff Berth Despite Tie with Dolphins
Despite finishing the 1975 season with identical 10-4 records, the Colts secured a playoff spot over the Dolphins based on a head-to-head sweep in their season series.
1975: Marchibroda's First Stint as Head Coach
Ted Marchibroda's first tenure as head coach of the Colts began in 1975.
1975: Colts Return to Playoffs
After a three-season absence, the Colts returned to the playoffs in 1975.
1976: Bert Jones Wins NFL MVP
Quarterback Bert Jones was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1976.
1976: Colts Tie with Patriots for First Place in AFC East
The Colts found themselves in a tie for first place with the New England Patriots in 1976, highlighting the competitive nature of the AFC East division during that era.
1977: Colts' Final Playoff Appearance in Baltimore
The Colts made their final playoff appearance in Baltimore in 1977, losing a memorable double-overtime game against the Oakland Raiders. This game is remembered for the "Ghost to the Post" play.
1977: Colts and Dolphins Tie for First, Colts Advance on Tiebreaker
In 1977, the Colts and Dolphins once again found themselves tied atop the division standings, with the Colts ultimately advancing to the playoffs due to a superior conference record.
1978: Beginning of Losing Seasons
The Colts embarked on a streak of nine consecutive losing seasons starting in 1978.
1978: Start of a Difficult Period for the Colts
Following their 1977 playoff loss to the Oakland Raiders, the Colts entered a challenging period marked by inconsistent performance, beginning in 1978.
1979: Marchibroda's First Stint Ends
Ted Marchibroda's first stint as the Colts' head coach concluded in 1979.
1981: Colts' Defense Sets Unwanted Records
The Colts' defense struggled mightily in 1981, allowing an NFL-record 533 points and setting all-time records for the fewest sacks (13) and fewest punt returns (12).
1982: Colts Struggle During Strike-Shortened Season
The Colts experienced a dismal season in 1982, finishing with a 0-8-1 record during a season shortened by a player strike.
1982: Colts' Sock Design
From 1982 to 1987, the Colts' blue socks featured gray stripes.
1982: Colts Introduce Gray Pants
In 1982, the Colts introduced gray pants to their uniform, pairing them with their blue jerseys.
1982: Colts Secure First Overall Draft Pick
The Colts finished the strike-shortened 1982 season with a dismal 0-8-1 record, securing the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.
1982: Player Strike Disrupts Colts-Jets Rivalry
The intense rivalry between the Colts and Jets faced a temporary disruption in 1982 due to a player strike, highlighting the impact of labor disputes on the sport.
December 18, 1983: Colts Play Final Game in Baltimore
The Baltimore Colts played their final home game in Baltimore on December 18, 1983, against the Houston Oilers at Memorial Stadium.
1983: Colts' Final Season in Baltimore
The Colts played their final season in Baltimore in 1983, finishing with a 7-9 record.
March 29, 1984: Colts Relocate to Indianapolis
The Colts officially relocated from Baltimore to Indianapolis on March 29, 1984, with moving vans transporting the team's belongings overnight to the Hoosier Dome.
1984: Bob Lamey Begins First Stint as Colts' Play-by-Play Announcer
Bob Lamey's first stint as the Indianapolis Colts' play-by-play announcer started in 1984.
1984: WIBC Becomes Flagship Radio Station
In 1984, WIBC (1070 AM) became the flagship radio station for the Indianapolis Colts.
1984: Colts' First Season in Indianapolis
In 1984, the Colts played their inaugural season in Indianapolis, finishing with a 4-12 record.
1984: Colts Relocate to Indianapolis
The Baltimore Colts officially relocated to Indianapolis in 1984.
1984: Colts Relocate to Indianapolis
The Baltimore Colts officially relocated to Indianapolis in 1984.
1985: Colts Continue to Struggle
The Colts continued to struggle in 1985.
March 1986: Baltimore and Colts Settle Legal Disputes
In March 1986, representatives from Baltimore and the Colts organization came to an agreement, dismissing all lawsuits related to the relocation and paving the way for a new NFL team in Baltimore.
1986: Colts' Use of Gray Pants
The Colts continued to wear gray pants with their blue jerseys until 1986. These gray pants featured a horseshoe at the top of each side with the player's number inside.
1986: Colts Fire Head Coach Rod Dowhower
The Indianapolis Colts fired head coach Rod Dowhower after the team started the 1986 season with an 0-13 record.
1987: Colts Become Host for NFL Scouting Combine
Starting in 1987, the Indianapolis Colts became the host team for the NFL Scouting Combine.
1987: Colts Make Playoffs for First Time in Indianapolis
The Colts reached the playoffs for the first time since relocating to Indianapolis in 1987 after winning the AFC East with a 9-6 record, losing in the first round to the Cleveland Browns.
1987: Colts Retire Gray Pants
The Colts retired their gray pants in 1987.
1987: Colts' Sock Design
The Colts' blue socks featured gray stripes until 1987.
1987: Previous AFC East Championship
The Colts' AFC East win in 1999 marked their first division title since 1987.
1988: Colts' Sock Design
The Colts reverted to white socks with two or three blue stripes from 1988 to 1992.
1991: Colts Finish with 1-15 Record
The Colts' struggles reached a low point in 1991 when they finished with a 1-15 record, narrowly avoiding the first winless season in a 16-game schedule.
1991: End of Bob Lamey's First Stint as Colts Announcer
In 1991, Bob Lamey's first run as the Indianapolis Colts' play-by-play announcer concluded.
1992: Colts' Sock Design
The Colts' use of white socks with blue stripes continued until 1992.
1992: Change in Flagship Radio Station
The Indianapolis Colts experienced a change in their flagship radio station in 1992.
1992: Ted Marchibroda Returns as Head Coach
Ted Marchibroda returned for a second stint as the Colts' head coach in 1992.
1994: Bill Tobin Becomes General Manager
The Colts appointed Bill Tobin as general manager in 1994.
1995: WIBC Returns as Flagship Radio Station
WIBC (1070 AM) returned as the flagship radio station for the Indianapolis Colts in 1995.
1995: Colts Uniform Change
In 1995, the Indianapolis Colts experimented with their uniform, wearing blue pants with their white jerseys for the first three games of the season.
1995: Colts Win First Playoff Game in Indianapolis
In 1995, the Colts achieved their first playoff victory since relocating to Indianapolis.
1995: Colts Reach Playoffs After Tiebreaker with Dolphins
Despite both teams finishing with 9-7 records in 1995, the Colts secured a playoff berth by virtue of winning their season series against the Dolphins.
1995: Bob Lamey Returns as Colts' Play-by-Play Announcer
Bob Lamey returned to the Indianapolis Colts in 1995, resuming his role as the play-by-play announcer.
1995: Playoff Appearances Since 1995
The Colts' playoff appearance in 2012 marked their 14th since 1995.
September 23, 1996: Establishment of the Colts Ring of Honor
The Indianapolis Colts established their prestigious Ring of Honor on September 23, 1996, to recognize and celebrate individuals who made significant contributions to the franchise.
1996: Another Playoff Appearance for the Colts
The Colts made back-to-back playoff appearances in 1996, marking their second consecutive postseason berth.
January 1997: Robert Irsay Passes Away
Robert Irsay, the owner who moved the Colts to Indianapolis, passed away in January 1997.
1997: Colts Regress After Playoff Appearances
The Colts experienced a setback in 1997, finishing with a disappointing 3-13 record after two consecutive playoff appearances.
1997: Another Change in Flagship Radio Station
The Indianapolis Colts went through another change in their flagship radio station in 1997.
1998: Jim Irsay Takes Ownership
Following his father's passing, Jim Irsay took over as the principal owner of the Colts in 1998.
1998: Manning's Rookie Season
Peyton Manning joined the Colts in 1998, but the team only won three games. Manning threw a league-high 28 interceptions, although he also had some successes, passing for 3,739 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie First Team.
1998: Mike Jansen Becomes Colts' Public Address Announcer
Starting in the 1998 season, Mike Jansen assumed the role of the public address announcer for Indianapolis Colts home games.
1998: Colts Draft Peyton Manning
The Colts selected quarterback Peyton Manning with the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, marking a pivotal moment in franchise history.
1999: Colts Trade Star Running Back Marshall Faulk
In a significant roster move, the Colts traded star running back Marshall Faulk in 1999, marking a turning point in the franchise's trajectory.
1999: Marino and Manning Duel in Memorable Matchups
The 1999 season featured two captivating games between the Colts and Dolphins, with quarterbacks Dan Marino and Peyton Manning showcasing their skills in thrilling contests.
1999: Previous Success
The Colts' struggles in 2000 and 2001 contrasted with their strong performance in 1999.
1999: Colts Show Improvement and Win AFC East
The Colts drafted Edgerrin James in 1999 and continued to improve their roster. The team's performance improved significantly, finishing 13-3 and winning the AFC East, their first division title since 1987. Their season ended with a loss to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional playoffs.
2000: Start of a Decline
After their successful 1999 season, the Colts' performance declined in 2000 and 2001.
2000: Start of Dominant Decade
The Colts' impressive 2000-2009 record highlighted their dominance throughout the decade.
2000: Dolphins Secure Division Title, Defeat Colts in Playoffs
The Miami Dolphins edged out the Indianapolis Colts for the division championship in 2000 with an 11-5 record and went on to defeat them in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
2001: Pressure Mounts After Losing Season
Following a 6-10 record in 2001, pressure began to mount on the Colts' administration and coaching staff.
2001: Colts and Patriots' Division Rivalry Ends
The Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots ceased to be division rivals in 2001 when the NFL realigned its divisions.
2002: Colts Alter Jersey Stripes
The Colts changed the striping pattern on their jerseys in 2002, limiting the stripes to the top of the shoulders. This change coincided with a league-wide trend of tighter jerseys.
2002: Dungy Era Begins and Colts Return to Playoffs
The Colts hired Tony Dungy as head coach in 2002. The team improved to 10-6 and returned to the playoffs.
2002: End of 12-Win Streak
The Colts' 10-6 record in 2010 marked the first time they didn't reach 12 wins since 2002.
2002: Jets Deliver Crushing Playoff Defeat to Colts
The New York Jets delivered a resounding 41-0 victory over the Colts in the 2002 Wild Card playoff round, showcasing the unpredictable nature of postseason matchups.
2002: Colts Move to AFC South Division
The Indianapolis Colts transitioned to the newly established AFC South division in 2002, marking a significant realignment in the NFL.
2003: Previous AFC Championship Appearance
The Colts' 2006 appearance in the AFC Championship Game was their first since the 2003 playoffs.
2003: AFC Championship and Start of Patriots Rivalry
The Colts, with a 12-4 record, returned to the playoffs in 2003 and faced Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, marking the start of a rivalry between the teams and quarterbacks. The Colts lost to the Patriots, who went on to win the Super Bowl.
2003: Patriots Triumph in AFC Championship
In 2003, the New England Patriots emerged victorious against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game, marking a significant point in their rivalry.
December 2004: Colts Secure New Stadium Deal
In December 2004, the Indianapolis Colts, the City of Indianapolis, and Jim Irsay finalized an agreement for a new stadium, later named Lucas Oil Stadium.
2004: Patriots Prevail in AFC Divisional Game
The New England Patriots continued their winning streak against the Indianapolis Colts with a victory in the 2004 AFC Divisional game.
2004: Colts' Sock Design
The Colts, known for wearing blue socks throughout much of their history, added two or three white stripes to their socks in 2004.
2004: Colts Uniform Adjustments
The Colts made several uniform adjustments in 2004, including switching back to gray face masks, changing to a darker blue, and adding stripes to their socks.
2004: Another Playoff Loss to the Patriots
The 12-4 Colts again met the Patriots in the playoffs, this time in the divisional round. The Patriots defeated the Colts, continuing the rivalry between the teams.
2005: Colts Start 13-0 and Break NFL Record
The Colts had a hot start in 2005, beginning the season 13-0 and defeating the Patriots for the first time in the Manning era. During the season, Manning and receiver Marvin Harrison broke the NFL record for most touchdowns by a quarterback-receiver duo. Despite finishing 14-2, the Colts lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round.
2005: Colts' Sock Design
The Colts continued to sport blue socks with two or three white stripes in 2005.
2006: Colts Secure Victory in AFC Championship
The Indianapolis Colts triumphed over the New England Patriots in the 2006 AFC Championship game, en route to their Super Bowl XLI victory.
2006: Colts Win Super Bowl XLI
In 2006, the Colts drafted running back Joseph Addai. They started the season 9-0 and finished 12-4, making the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, advancing to the AFC Championship where they again faced the Patriots. The Colts overcame a 21-3 deficit to defeat the Patriots 38-34. They then defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI, marking the first Super Bowl win for the Indianapolis-based franchise.
2006: Colts Uniform Tweak
The Colts removed the stripes from their socks in 2006 after experimenting with them for a couple of seasons.
November 4, 2007: Patriots Defeat Colts
On November 4, 2007, the New England Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 24-20.
2007: WFNI and WLHK Become Colts' Flagship Radio Stations
In 2007, WFNI (1070 AM) and WLHK (97.1 FM) became the flagship radio stations for the Indianapolis Colts.
2007: Colts Lose in Divisional Playoffs, Play Final Game at RCA Dome
The Colts went 13-3 in 2007 but lost in the divisional playoffs to the San Diego Chargers in what would be the team's final game at the RCA Dome.
November 2, 2008: Colts Edge Out Patriots
The Indianapolis Colts secured a narrow 18-15 victory against the New England Patriots on November 2, 2008, contributing to the Patriots' absence from the playoffs that year.
2008: Colts Move into Lucas Oil Stadium
After 24 years at the RCA Dome, the Indianapolis Colts moved into their new home, Lucas Oil Stadium, in 2008.
2008: Colts Move to Lucas Oil Stadium
In 2008, the Indianapolis Colts began playing their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium.
2008: Manning Injured, Dungy Retires
Peyton Manning missed most of the 2008 preseason due to surgery, and the Colts started the season 3-4 before winning nine straight games. They finished 12-4 but lost to the Chargers in the wild card round. Following the season, head coach Tony Dungy retired with a 92-33 record with the Colts.
2009: Colts Stage Comeback Against Patriots
In a thrilling matchup in 2009, the Indianapolis Colts mounted a remarkable comeback to defeat the New England Patriots 35-34.
2009: Colts Go 14-0, Lose Super Bowl XLIV
Jim Caldwell became the Colts' head coach in 2009, and the team started the season 14-0. They controversially benched their starters in the last two games of the season, finishing 14-2. In the playoffs, they defeated the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets but lost to the New Orleans Saints 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV.
2009: Drum Corps International Arrives at Lucas Oil Stadium
Since 2009, Lucas Oil Stadium has been the venue for the Drum Corps International World Championships.
2009: Colts Defeat Dolphins in Monday Night Football Matchup
The Colts and Dolphins faced off in a memorable Monday Night Football game in 2009, with the Colts emerging victorious despite limited possession time.
2009: Colts Triumph over Jets in AFC Championship
The Colts emerged victorious in a tightly contested AFC Championship game against the Jets in 2009, securing their place in the Super Bowl.
2009: Colts End Decade with Best Regular Season Record
The Indianapolis Colts finished the 2000-2009 decade with 115 regular-season wins, more than any other team in the NFL during that time. Their .719 winning percentage was also the highest in the league.
2009: Patriots' Throwbacks Resurface
The New England Patriots wore throwback uniforms with truncated stripes in 2009, a style similar to the Colts' adjusted stripes.
2010: Colts' Winning Streak Ends, Lose to Jets
For the first time since 2002, the Colts did not win at least 12 games, finishing the 2010 season 10-6. Their season ended with a wild card round playoff loss to the New York Jets, the last game Peyton Manning played for the Colts.
2010: Patriots Embrace Truncated Stripes
The New England Patriots officially adopted the throwback uniforms with truncated stripes as their alternate uniform in 2010.
2010: Patriots Hold Off Colts
The New England Patriots withstood a late surge by the Indianapolis Colts, winning 31-28 in 2010, marking Peyton Manning's last game against the Patriots as a Colt.
2011: Rebounding from a Difficult Season
After their challenging 2-14 record in 2011, the Colts significantly improved in the 2012 season.
2011: Patriots Defeat Struggling Colts
The New England Patriots defeated the struggling Indianapolis Colts 31-24 in 2011, a season that saw the Colts struggle.
2011: Manning Injured, Colts Finish 2-14
Peyton Manning missed the entire 2011 season due to injury. The Colts struggled without him, finishing with a 2-14 record and securing the first overall pick in the 2012 draft. The team fired team president Bill Polian after 14 seasons.
2011: Lucas Oil Stadium Hosts Super Bowl XLVI
Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, hosted Super Bowl XLVI in 2011.
2011: WNDY-TV Begins Airing Colts' Preseason Games
In 2011, WNDY-TV, a sister station of WISH, took over the broadcasting of Indianapolis Colts preseason games, replacing WTTV.
2011: Texans Challenge Colts' Dominance
The Houston Texans began to challenge the Colts' dominance in the AFC South, winning the division five times since 2011.
March 8, 2012: Peyton Manning Era Ends
On March 8, 2012, Colts owner Jim Irsay announced that Peyton Manning was released from the team after 13 seasons.
2012: Ryan Tannehill and Andrew Luck Enter the Rivalry
The arrival of quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins) and Andrew Luck (Colts) in 2012 injected new life into the Colts-Dolphins rivalry.
2012: Colts Draft Andrew Luck, Begin New Era
The Colts hired Ryan Grigson as General Manager and Chuck Pagano as head coach in 2012. They released several veteran players and used their first overall draft pick to select quarterback Andrew Luck. They also drafted his Stanford teammate Coby Fleener in the second round and implemented a 3-4 defensive scheme.
2012: Jets Upset Colts in Peyton Manning's Final Game
In a playoff upset, the Jets defeated the Colts, marking the end of Peyton Manning's tenure with the team.
2012: Patriots Overpower Colts
In a clash of 6-3 teams in 2012, the New England Patriots overcame an early deficit to defeat the Indianapolis Colts decisively, 59-24.
2012: Colts Make Playoffs, Pagano Battles Leukemia
Behind strong performances from Andrew Luck and Reggie Wayne, the Colts went 11-5 in 2012 and earned a playoff spot for the 14th time since 1995. Head coach Chuck Pagano's battle with leukemia became a rallying point for the team and fans, but their season ended with a playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the eventual Super Bowl champions.
2013: Colts Trade for Richardson, Luck Defeats Manning
The Colts traded their 2014 first-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for running back Trent Richardson in 2013. In week 7, Andrew Luck led the Colts to victory over his predecessor, Peyton Manning, and the undefeated Denver Broncos. The Colts went on to win their 15th division championship.
November 16, 2014: Patriots Dominate Colts
The New England Patriots delivered a resounding 42-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on November 16, 2014, at Lucas Oil Stadium.
2014: End of WNDY-TV's Run as Colts' Preseason Broadcaster
WNDY-TV's run as the broadcaster for Indianapolis Colts preseason games came to an end in 2014.
2014: Trading Away the Future
The Colts' trade for Trent Richardson in 2013 involved sending their first-round pick in the 2014 draft to the Cleveland Browns.
2014: Tribune Media Secures Rights to Colts Games
In 2014, Tribune Media secured a deal that shook up the Indianapolis Colts' local TV carriage rights.
2014: Luck Sets Passing Record, Colts Reach AFC Championship
Andrew Luck broke Peyton Manning's Colts record for single-season passing yards in 2014 and led the team to the AFC Championship game for the first time in his career.
January 1, 2015: Colts' Local TV Carriage Rights Shift to Tribune Media Stations
On January 1, 2015, a significant change occurred in the Indianapolis Colts' local TV carriage rights. Tribune Media, the owner of WTTV, struck a deal with CBS to make WTTV the network's new affiliate in Indianapolis. This replaced WISH-TV. Consequently, both of Tribune Media's stations, WTTV and WXIN, began carrying the majority of the Colts' regular-season games from the 2015 NFL season onwards.
December 2016: Colts End Losing Streak Against AFC East Teams
The Colts snapped their losing streak against AFC East opponents in December 2016 with a resounding victory against the New York Jets.
2016: Andrew Luck Leads Colts to Dominant Win over Jets
Andrew Luck showcased his quarterback prowess by leading the Colts to a commanding 45-10 victory over the Jets in 2016, signaling a potential shift in the rivalry's dynamics.
January 30, 2017: Chris Ballard hired as General Manager
On January 30, 2017, the Indianapolis Colts hired Chris Ballard as their new General Manager after firing Ryan Grigson.
December 31, 2017: Chuck Pagano fired as Head Coach
The Indianapolis Colts parted ways with head coach Chuck Pagano on December 31, 2017, after finishing the season with a 4-12 record.
2017: Colts Embrace Color Rush
In 2017, the Colts joined the NFL's Color Rush program, bringing back the blue pants and pairing them with the blue jerseys.
February 8, 2018: Josh McDaniels backs out as Head Coach
On February 8, 2018, the Colts announced Josh McDaniels as their new head coach. However, just hours later, McDaniels rescinded his decision and returned to the New England Patriots.
February 11, 2018: Frank Reich hired as Head Coach
On February 11, 2018, the Colts announced Frank Reich, then offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, as their new head coach.
2018: Matt Taylor Replaces Bob Lamey as Colts' Play-by-Play Announcer
In 2018, Matt Taylor took over as the Indianapolis Colts' play-by-play announcer, succeeding Bob Lamey.
2018: Colts and Texans Postseason Clash
The Colts and Texans faced off in the postseason in 2018, highlighting the growing intensity of their rivalry.
2018: Two Colts Rookies Named First-Team All-Pro
In 2018, two rookies drafted by Colts General Manager Chris Ballard, guard Quenton Nelson and linebacker Shaquille Leonard, were named First-Team All-Pro, marking the first time since 1965 that two rookies from the same team achieved this honor.
August 24, 2019: Andrew Luck Announces Retirement
On August 24, 2019, Andrew Luck announced his retirement from the NFL, citing a challenging cycle of injuries and rehabilitation as the main reason for his decision.
November 17, 2019: Colts Reach 300 Wins in Indianapolis Era
The Colts secured their 300th win since moving to Indianapolis on November 17, 2019, after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars.
March 17, 2020: Philip Rivers Signs with Colts
The Indianapolis Colts signed veteran quarterback Philip Rivers to a one-year contract on March 17, 2020.
April 13, 2020: Colts Update Branding
On April 13, 2020, the Colts modernized their look with an updated wordmark logo and numeral fonts, adding black as a tertiary color, primarily featured on the Nike swoosh of their white uniforms.
March 17, 2021: Colts Acquire Carson Wentz in Trade
The Colts traded for quarterback Carson Wentz on March 17, 2021, sending a third-round pick in 2021 and a conditional second-round pick in 2022 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
March 21, 2022: Colts Trade for Matt Ryan
The Indianapolis Colts traded a 2022 third-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for quarterback Matt Ryan on March 21, 2022.
November 7, 2022: Frank Reich Fired, Jeff Saturday Named Interim Head Coach
Following a disappointing 3-5-1 start to the season, the Colts fired head coach Frank Reich on November 7, 2022. Longtime Colts center Jeff Saturday was subsequently named the interim head coach.
February 14, 2023: Shane Steichen Hired as Head Coach
After their worst season since 2017, the Colts opted not to retain interim head coach Jeff Saturday, and on February 14, 2023, they appointed Shane Steichen as their new head coach.
July 20, 2023: Colts Unveil Alternate Uniform and Black Helmet
On July 20, 2023, the Colts unveiled a new alternate uniform featuring black trim, relocated sleeve stripes, the "Indiana C" logo, and the franchise's first-ever black helmet.
October 18, 2023: Anthony Richardson Out for the Season
The Colts announced on October 18, 2023, that quarterback Anthony Richardson would be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his shoulder.
October 24, 2023: Anthony Richardson Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
Anthony Richardson underwent successful shoulder surgery to address his Grade 3 AC joint sprain on October 24, 2023.
April 25, 2024: Colts Draft Laiatu Latu
The Colts used their 15th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select Laiatu Latu.
May 10, 2024: Colts Roster Update
The Indianapolis Colts updated their roster on May 10, 2024.