Editing Indianapolis Colts (section)

==== Chuck Pagano years (2012–2017) ====
[[Image:Andrew Luck 2013.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Andrew Luck about to pass|Luck during his first playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens]]
During the 2012 off-season owner Jim Irsay hired [[Ryan Grigson]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2012 |title=Colts hire Ryan Grigson as new GM |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7449840/indianapolis-colts-hire-philadelphia-eagles-ryan-grigson-gm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702025156/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7449840/indianapolis-colts-hire-philadelphia-eagles-ryan-grigson-gm |archive-date=July 2, 2012 |access-date=July 4, 2012 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> to be the General Manager. Grigson decided to let head coach Jim Caldwell go and [[Chuck Pagano]] was hired as the new head coach shortly thereafter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 25, 2012 |title=Colts name Chuck Pagano coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7503273/chuck-pagano-hired-indianapolis-colts-coach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629161656/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7503273/chuck-pagano-hired-indianapolis-colts-coach |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |access-date=July 4, 2012 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The Colts also began to release some higher paid and oft-injured veteran players, including [[Joseph Addai]], [[Dallas Clark]], and [[Gary Brackett]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Colts release five players|url=http://www.wthr.com/story/17123925/report-colts-release-lb-gary-brackett|publisher=WTHR|access-date=July 4, 2012|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212025/http://www.wthr.com/story/17123925/report-colts-release-lb-gary-brackett|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Colts used their number one overall draft pick in 2012 to draft [[Stanford Cardinal football|Stanford Cardinal]] quarterback [[Andrew Luck]] and also drafted his teammate [[Coby Fleener]] in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schefter |first=Adam |date=April 26, 2012 |title=Colts draft Andrew Luck at No.&nbsp;1 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7859344 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729021558/http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=7859344&ampex_cid=espnapi_partner&wjb |archive-date=July 29, 2013 |access-date=July 4, 2012 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Colts draft Fleener in round 2|url=http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/sports/colts-draft-fleener-in-round-2|publisher=WLFI|access-date=July 4, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605102625/http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/sports/colts-draft-fleener-in-round-2|archive-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> The team also switched to a 3–4 defensive scheme.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Brad |date=2012-06-05 |title=Switching To A 3-4: Can The Colts Do It? |url=https://www.stampedeblue.com/2012/6/5/3065399/switching-to-a-3-4-can-the-colts-do-it |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Stampede Blue |language=en}}</ref>

With productive seasons from both Luck and veteran receiver [[Reggie Wayne]], the Colts rebounded from the 2–14 season of 2011 with a [[2012 NFL season|2012 season]] record of 11–5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 Indianapolis Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/2012.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The franchise, team, and fan base rallied behind head coach [[Chuck Pagano]] during his fight with [[leukemia]].<ref name="y576">{{cite web | last=Davenport | first=Gary | title=Why Chuck Pagano's Inspiring Story, Leadership Will Boost Colts to Playoffs. | website=Bleacher Report | date=2012-11-05 | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1397828-why-chuck-paganos-inspiring-story-leadership-will-boost-colts-to-playoffs | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Clinching an unexpected playoff spot in the [[2012–13 NFL playoffs]], the 14th playoff berth for the club since [[1995 Indianapolis Colts season|1995]]. The season ended in a 24–9 playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champion [[2012 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]].<ref name="q472">{{cite web | title=Baltimore Ravens defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 24-9, in an AFC wild card playoff game | website=cleveland.com | date=2013-01-07 | url=https://www.cleveland.com/sports/2013/01/baltimore_ravens_defeat_the_in.html | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

Two weeks into the 2013 season, the Colts traded their first-round selection in the [[2014 NFL draft]] to the [[Cleveland Browns]] for running back [[Trent Richardson]].<ref name="h004">{{cite web | last=Rosenthal | first=Gregg | title=Trent Richardson traded to Colts from Browns for pick | website=NFL.com | date=2013-09-18 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/trent-richardson-traded-to-colts-from-browns-for-pick-0ap2000000246821 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> In Week&nbsp;7, Luck led the Colts to a 39–33 win over his predecessor, [[Peyton Manning]], and the undefeated [[Denver Broncos|Broncos]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Brad |date=2013-10-21 |title=Colts beat Broncos 39-33 in a game for the ages |url=https://www.stampedeblue.com/2013/10/21/4860936/final-colts-defeat-broncos-39-33-in-game-for-the-ages |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Stampede Blue |language=en}}</ref> Luck went on to lead the Colts to a 15th division championship later that season. In the first round of the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs|2013 NFL playoffs]], Andrew Luck led the Colts to a 45–44 victory over Kansas City, outscoring the Chiefs 35–13 in the second half in the second biggest comeback in NFL playoff history.<ref name="o761">{{cite web | last=Wells | first=Mike | title=Andrew Luck's masterpiece: Comeback vs. Chiefs in '13 playoffs | website=ESPN.com | date=2019-01-11 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/24193/andrew-lucks-masterpiece-comeback-vs-chiefs-in-13-playoffs#:~:text=The%20Colts%20fell%20behind%2038,443%20yards%20and%20four%20touchdowns. | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

During the 2014 season, Luck led the Colts to the AFC Championship game for the first time in his career after breaking the Colts' single-season passing yardage record previously held by Manning.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Josh|title=Andrew Luck Breaks Peyton Manning's Colts Franchise Record for Single-Season Passing Yards|url=http://www.stampedeblue.com/2014/12/28/7457399/andrew-luck-breaks-peyton-mannings-colts-franchise-record-for-single|publisher=[[SB Nation]]|date=December 28, 2014|access-date=February 3, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704054846/https://www.stampedeblue.com/2014/12/28/7457399/andrew-luck-breaks-peyton-mannings-colts-franchise-record-for-single|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the Colts finished 8–8 in both the [[2015 NFL season|2015]] and [[2016 NFL season|2016 seasons]] and missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1997–98, Grigson was fired as general manager.<ref name="y726">{{cite web | last=Wells | first=Mike | title=Colts fire GM Grigson, keeping Pagano for '17 | website=ESPN.com | date=2017-01-21 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18525693/indianapolis-colts-fire-general-manager-ryan-grigson | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 Indianapolis Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/2015.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Indianapolis Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/2016.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Just three of his previous 18 draft picks remained on the team at the time of his firing.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wells|first=Mike|title=Colts fire GM Ryan Grigson; Chuck Pagano to remain coach|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18525693/indianapolis-colts-fire-general-manager-ryan-grigson|publisher=ESPN|date=January 22, 2017|access-date=January 23, 2017|archive-date=January 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123154808/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18525693/indianapolis-colts-fire-general-manager-ryan-grigson|url-status=live}}</ref> On January&nbsp;30, 2017, the team hired [[Chris Ballard (American football)|Chris Ballard]], who served as the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] Director of Football Operations, to replace Grigson.<ref name="Holder, Stephen">{{cite news|title=Colts hire Chris Ballard as general manager|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2017/01/29/chris-ballard-hired-indianapolis-general-manager/97222044/|newspaper=USA Today|author=Holder, Stephen|date=January 29, 2017|access-date=January 30, 2017|archive-date=January 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130075510/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2017/01/29/chris-ballard-hired-indianapolis-general-manager/97222044/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 31, 2017, after winning the final game of the [[2017 Indianapolis Colts season|season]] and a final record of 4–12, the Colts parted ways with Pagano.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Indianapolis Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/2017.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="n547">{{cite web | last=Wells | first=Mike | title=Colts fire coach Pagano after 4-12 season | website=ESPN.com | date=2017-12-31 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21926947/indianapolis-colts-fire-chuck-pagano-six-seasons | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Luck, who had suffered multiple injuries and missed nine games during the 2015 season, sat out the entire 2017 season recovering from shoulder surgery.<ref name="v147">{{cite web | last=D'Andrea | first=Christian | title=Andrew Luck headed to injured reserve, will not play in 2017 | website=SBNation.com | date=2017-11-02 | url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/11/2/16466114/2017-nfl-injury-andrew-luck-injured-reserve | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

In the weeks following the end of the 2017 season, after two interviews, it was widely reported that the Colts would hire [[Josh McDaniels]], offensive coordinator of the [[New England Patriots]], to replace Pagano, after McDaniels fulfilled his obligations to the Patriots in [[Super Bowl&nbsp;LII]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/28/colts-head-coach-news-update-josh-mcdaniels-patriots|title=Report: Colts Will Hire Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels As Head Coach|magazine=Sports Illustrated|first=Khadrice|last=Rollins|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202071627/https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/28/colts-head-coach-news-update-josh-mcdaniels-patriots|url-status=live}}</ref> On February&nbsp;8, 2018, the Colts announced McDaniels as their new head coach.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Wells|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22344934/indianapolis-colts-hire-josh-mcdaniels-head-coach|title=Colts hire Josh McDaniels as head coach|work=ESPN.com|date=February 6, 2018|access-date=April 29, 2021|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109030207/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22344934/indianapolis-colts-hire-josh-mcdaniels-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> Hours later, however, McDaniels rescinded his decision to be the head coach, and he returned to the Patriots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Statement-By-The-Indianapolis-Colts-On-Head-Coach-Search/b95ea07d-188d-497c-8510-1ffa73ea6648|title=Statement By The Indianapolis Colts On Head Coach Search|work=Colts.com|date=February 6, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508191055/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Statement-By-The-Indianapolis-Colts-On-Head-Coach-Search/b95ea07d-188d-497c-8510-1ffa73ea6648|archive-date=May 8, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22349872/josh-mcdaniels-spurns-indianapolis-colts-remain-new-england-patriots|title=Sources: Josh McDaniels changes mind, will stay with Patriots and not take Colts job|date=February 6, 2018|first=Adam|last=Schefter|access-date=April 29, 2021|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120234605/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22349872/josh-mcdaniels-spurns-indianapolis-colts-remain-new-england-patriots|url-status=live}}</ref>