What Is 2022 Indianapolis Colts football team

Overview

The 2022 Indianapolis Colts struggled through a disappointing NFL season, failing to meet expectations after a promising 2021 campaign. Under head coach Frank Reich, the team began the year with quarterback Carson Wentz but later turned to rookie Matt Ryan following a mid-season trade.

After a 2-3 start, the Colts continued to falter, leading to Reich's dismissal on November 7. Interim head coach Jeff Saturday, with no prior NFL coaching experience, took over, marking a controversial chapter in franchise history.

• Record: The Colts finished the 2022 season with a 4-13 record, their worst since 2011, and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
• Division standing: They placed 4th in the AFC South, behind the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans, marking a historic low for the franchise.
• Coaching change: Head coach Frank Reich was fired on November 7 after a 2-5 start, ending his four-year tenure with a 43-36 regular-season record.
• Interim leadership: Former NFL center Jeff Saturday was hired as interim coach, despite having no prior coaching experience at any level.
• Quarterback situation: The team started with Carson Wentz, traded for Matt Ryan in March 2022, but ultimately benched him in favor of Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles.

Coaching & Roster Changes

The 2022 season was defined by instability in leadership and personnel decisions, both on the sideline and in the front office. The Colts made several high-profile moves that drew national attention, particularly the hiring of Jeff Saturday.

• Frank Reich: Hired in 2018, Reich led the Colts to two playoff appearances but was fired after a 2-5 start due to offensive struggles and locker room concerns.
• Jeff Saturday: A Pro Football Hall of Fame center, Saturday was named interim coach on November 7 and led the team for the final 10 games, going 1-6-1.
• Matt Ryan: Acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, Ryan started 12 games but posted a 64.8 passer rating, his worst since 2009.
• Carson Wentz: After a poor 2021 season with the Colts, Wentz was traded to the Washington Commanders in March 2022 for a 2022 second-round pick.
• Defensive struggles: The Colts' defense allowed 24.5 points per game, ranking 23rd in the NFL, and failed to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
• Offensive line: Despite being a team strength in previous years, the unit allowed 50 sacks in 2022, contributing to quarterback instability.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2022 Colts compared to the previous season across key performance metrics:

The decline from 2021 to 2022 was stark, with the Colts regressing in nearly every statistical category. Offensive production dropped significantly, and defensive lapses became more frequent. The mid-season coaching change disrupted team cohesion, and player morale reportedly suffered under the interim regime. Injuries to key players like linebacker Darius Leonard and cornerback Kenny Moore II further weakened an already struggling squad.

Why It Matters

The 2022 season was a pivotal moment for the Colts franchise, highlighting organizational missteps and prompting a full-scale rebuild. The fallout from the Saturday hiring and the team's poor performance led to sweeping changes in 2023.

• Rebuild initiated: After the season, the Colts hired Chris Ballard to reassess personnel and drafted Anthony Richardson fourth overall in 2023.
• Coaching overhaul: Jeff Saturday was not retained, and the team hired Shane Steichen as head coach in January 2023.
• QB transition: Matt Ryan was released, clearing the path for rookie Anthony Richardson to become the starting quarterback.
• Front office changes: GM Chris Ballard remained, but the team restructured its scouting and analytics departments to improve decision-making.
• Owner accountability: Team owner Jim Irsay faced criticism for approving the Saturday hire, raising questions about leadership oversight.
• Long-term impact: The 2022 season is viewed as a cautionary tale about hasty coaching decisions and the risks of bypassing traditional hiring processes.

The 2022 Indianapolis Colts season serves as a case study in how quickly a team can unravel due to poor management choices. While the future looked bleak at the time, the subsequent rebuild laid the foundation for a new era in Indianapolis.