Sadly, since ‘Deflate-Gate,’ 2014-24 is shaping up to be the ‘lost decade’ of Colts football

Colts fans are still hoping for better days ahead, but when will those greener pastures actually come to fruition?

The current Indianapolis Colts on the field football product isn’t great, and to be honest, it’s been that way for at least the past week seasons much to the dismay of the seemingly now disenchanted Horseshoe Faithful.

With the New England Patriots coincidentally hosting the Colts this weekend, there’s been very few highs since former franchise quarterback Andrew Luck carried the Colts to the 2014 AFC Title Game against the eventual Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots—and the ensuing nationwide ‘Deflate-Gate Controversy,’ which among them are:

• The Colts beating the Houston Texans on the road in ‘The House that Hilton Built’ with the infamous ‘clown mask revenge’ Wild-card game in 2018, with Luck still making plays behind center—which would be his final victory as the Horseshoe’s starting quarterback, before shockingly retiring the following offseason.
• The ‘Covid-time’ Colts’ making the playoffs with wily veteran stopgap Philip Rivers during 2020 and pushing the AFC East Champion Buffalo Bills (at 14-3) to the brink on the road in the Wild card round and coming up just a tad short late in the game.

However, even with those two memorable events, the Colts’ resume during the past decade rests at 1 playoff win and 0 divisional titles.

You are your record, and the results haven’t been nearly good enough.

Sitting now at 5-7 (*and their playoff hopes dwindling by the week), Indianapolis has the longest standing drought among all of their divisional rivals of wining the AFC South title—having not proudly donned the crown since back in the 2014 season (which is where this all goes back to).

Blame Andrew Luck’s retirement.

Blame GM Chris Ballard.

However, since #12 surprisingly hung up the football cleats, the Colts haven’t been able to find consistency at starting quarterback, having shuffled through the likes of Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan for even finding a short-term answer. You could even throw Joe Flacco into the mix, given his recent 2 game starting stint.

That instability at the league’s most important position and within the top leadership of their locker room has had a trickle down effect—and the Colts consistently face it year-after-year.

The uncertainty.

The indecision.

The having to start all over again and build chemistry/rapport offensively every offseason.

There’s been reported lack of player leadership and accountability issues that pre-date even this year’s squad.

(*2023 4th overall pick Anthony Richardson still deserves the benefit of the doubt to show what he can do given that there have been some flashes, and he was expected to be a bit of a work in progress as a passer given his relative lack of experience—especially as a passer.)

Perhaps most troubling is that the Colts simply lack elite NFL star power.

This was once a proud franchise and perennial Super Bowl contender that boasted the likes of Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne,...