Retro Indy: The Indianapolis Colts have only won the Super Bowl once this century.

The Indianapolis Colts are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, known for their rich history, passionate fanbase, and association with some of the greatest players to ever take the field. Yet, when you look at their performance this century, one striking fact stands out: the Colts have won only one Super Bowl since the turn of the century. The 2006 victory over the Chicago Bears is still fresh in the minds of many Colts fans, but it remains the lone title for the team in the modern era, making them a paradox of excellence and unfulfilled potential.

Given the talents the Colts have boasted over the years—quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, a roster full of Hall of Fame-caliber players, and some truly dominant seasons—this one Super Bowl win may seem underwhelming, especially in comparison to the dominance of other NFL teams in the same era. The Indianapolis Colts’ journey from one of the most successful franchises in the early 2000s to a team still seeking its next Super Bowl title is a tale of missed opportunities, changing quarterbacks, and seasons of close calls.

This article explores the Colts’ singular Super Bowl victory, how they have failed to capture another title since, the factors that contributed to their near-misses, and how the franchise can move forward toward reclaiming its championship glory in the years to come.

2006 Super Bowl Victory: The High Point of a Golden Era

For the Indianapolis Colts, the 2006 season marked the pinnacle of what was one of the most successful stretches in team history. With future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning at the helm, the Colts boasted one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. Manning, already a two-time MVP, was the driving force behind the team’s success, with his legendary ability to read defenses, make quick decisions, and put the ball in the hands of playmakers like Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Joseph Addai.

The Colts finished the 2006 regular season with a 12-4 record, securing the AFC South title and earning the number three seed in the playoffs. Despite concerns about their defense—historically a weak point during Manning’s tenure—Indianapolis surged into the postseason, culminating in an incredible playoff run.

The journey to Super Bowl XLI was marked by dramatic victories, including a thrilling 38-34 win over the Baltimore Ravens and a dominant 39-20 performance against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. But the crowning achievement came in Miami, where the Colts faced the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

The game itself was an emotional rollercoaster, with the Colts overcoming an early 14-point deficit to win 29-17. Manning, despite a shaky start, delivered an iconic performance in the second half, earning the game’s MVP award. This win cemented Manning’s legacy as one of the NFL’s all-time greats and fulfilled the dreams of a fanbase that had spent years in the shadow of playoff disappointments. It also provided a much-needed victory for a Colts franchise that had long been considered a contender but never quite reached the promised land.

In retrospect, the 2006 Super Bowl win was the culmination of a golden era in Colts history. However, what followed was a period of frustration and missed opportunities, making it even more striking that the team has only reached the Super Bowl one more time in the years since.

The Peyton Manning Era: Dominance With Little Postseason Success

After their 2006 triumph, the Colts entered a new phase of sustained regular-season dominance under Peyton Manning. Year after year, Manning led the team to 12-win seasons, with the Colts winning the AFC South nearly every year throughout the 2000s and early 2010s. Manning continued to set records, throw for over 4,000 yards annually, and produce one of the most consistent offenses in the NFL.

However, this consistent regular-season excellence rarely translated into postseason success. The Colts found themselves falling short in the playoffs year after year, especially during the mid-to-late 2000s, when they would often lose to teams they were expected to beat. The most notable of these failures came in 2009, when the Colts made it to Super Bowl XLIV after another brilliant season, only to lose to the New Orleans Saints in a heartbreaking 31-17 defeat.

Super Bowl XLIV was a bitter pill for the Colts and their fans. Despite dominating the NFC playoffs, Manning and the Colts were unable to keep pace with the high-powered offense of Drew Brees and the Saints. The Colts’ offense stalled, Manning threw a crucial interception that was returned for a touchdown, and the Saints secured the victory. For many, this loss was a painful reminder of how elusive a second Super Bowl title had become for the Colts despite their consistent regular-season excellence.

Manning’s inability to win another Super Bowl during his prime years left a lingering sense of frustration around the franchise. It wasn’t just the loss in 2009 but also the playoff heartbreaks that followed. The Colts had early exits from the playoffs in subsequent years, including a shocking loss to the New York Jets in 2010 and a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. Manning’s era was marked by frequent playoff appearances but ultimately no additional titles.

The team’s failures in these high-stakes games underscored the Colts’ inability to rise to the occasion in the postseason. Whether it was defensive deficiencies, untimely mistakes, or the inability to execute in key moments, the Colts couldn’t seem to get over the hump.

The Andrew Luck Era: A New Hope, But Still Unfulfilled

After Peyton Manning’s departure from Indianapolis in 2012, the Colts found their new leader in Andrew Luck, a highly touted quarterback prospect who seemed to offer a bright future. Luck was seen as a savior for the Colts franchise—someone who could carry the mantle from Manning and bring the team back to Super Bowl contention.

And for a time, Luck seemed to deliver on that promise. The Colts experienced early success with Luck under center, making the playoffs in each of his first three seasons as the starting quarterback. Luck’s leadership, combined with his big arm and ability to win games in dramatic fashion, generated renewed hope that the Colts would soon be able to win another Super Bowl.

However, despite the initial optimism, Luck and the Colts were still unable to break through. The team did make it to the AFC Championship Game in 2014, but they were soundly defeated by the New England Patriots, who would go on to win the Super Bowl that year. Luck’s Colts also suffered significant playoff losses in 2015 and 2017, frustrating the fanbase and leading to questions about the team’s ability to build a championship-caliber roster around their franchise quarterback.

Injuries also played a major role in Luck’s career trajectory, with multiple seasons marred by shoulder issues and other ailments that kept him from fully realizing his potential. Ultimately, Luck shocked the football world in 2019 by retiring from the game at the age of 29, citing mental and physical exhaustion from years of battling injuries.

Luck’s departure left the Colts in a state of uncertainty. Despite the team’s consistent playoff appearances with Luck at the helm, the Super Bowl remained elusive. With Luck gone, the Colts entered another period of instability at the quarterback position, relying on veterans like Philip Rivers and Carson Wentz to stabilize the offense.

The Quest for Stability: The Colts Post-Luck Era

Since Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement, the Colts have been searching for a long-term solution at quarterback. The team has cycled through multiple quarterbacks—Rivers (2020), Wentz (2021), and most recently Matt Ryan (2022)—but none have been able to replicate the success the franchise had under Manning and Luck. While the Colts’ defense has remained solid and the offensive line has been strong at times, the inability to find consistent quarterback play has hampered their ability to compete for a Super Bowl.

The franchise has begun to build its future with young quarterbacks, and in 2023, the Colts selected Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft. Richardson, a raw but physically gifted quarterback, represents the Colts’ hope for a new era of football. However, the team still faces significant challenges in building a competitive roster around him, as they must address issues on both sides of the ball to make a legitimate Super Bowl push.

The Search for a Second Super Bowl Title

While the Colts have been a consistently competitive franchise, their inability to win a second Super Bowl this century remains one of the NFL’s most fascinating stories. Despite consistently contending for championships and boasting elite quarterbacks, the Colts have yet to capture another ring since their 2006 victory. Whether it was Peyton Manning’s inability to secure a second title in Indianapolis, Andrew Luck’s premature retirement, or the challenges in the post-Luck era, the Colts have been stuck in a cycle of close-but-no-cigar seasons.

However, hope remains for the future. With a young, promising quarterback in Anthony Richardson and a franchise capable of making moves to improve their roster, the Colts have the foundation for future success. But as the team moves forward, the shadow of their Super Bowl drought looms large. For a franchise with such a proud history, the question remains: can they finally get back to the top and claim that elusive second title? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the Indianapolis Colts will continue to fight for another chance to add to their legacy.