2018 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2018 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 66th in the National Football League and their 35th in Indianapolis. It was also their first season under head coach Frank Reich and second under the leadership of general manager Chris Ballard. Despite a 1–5 start, the Colts managed to improve on their 4–12 campaign with a 38–10 victory over the Tennessee Titans which also included a 5-game winning streak. On Week 16, the Colts achieved their first winning season since 2014 with a 28–27 win against the New York Giants. The next week, they beat the Tennessee Titans in a win or go home match-up to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and became the third team in NFL history to qualify for the playoffs after a 1–5 start and first since the 2015 Chiefs.
In the Wild Card Round, the Colts defeated the Houston Texans 21–7, but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round 31–13 ending their season.
This would be the last season that the Colts would be with franchise quarterback Andrew Luck, as he would retire following the season, citing his continuous struggle with injuries and no longer enjoying the game.
Offseason
Coaching changes
On December 31, 2017, the Colts parted ways with head coach Chuck Pagano. After two interviews, it was widely reported that the Colts would hire New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to replace him, after McDaniels fulfilled his obligations to the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. The Colts announced on the team website that they had agreed to terms with McDaniels and scheduled a press conference with McDaniels for February 5, 2018. However, one day later, McDaniels unexpectedly withdrew from the agreement in principle to become the Colts' head coach. On February 11, 2018, after interviewing multiple candidates, including Leslie Frazier and Dan Campbell, the Colts announced the hiring of Frank Reich, formerly the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator.Draft
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 6 | Quenton Nelson | Guard | Notre Dame | From NY Jets |
| 2 | 36 | Darius Leonard | Linebacker | South Carolina State | |
| 2 | 37 | Braden Smith | Guard | Auburn | From NY Jets |
| 2 | 52 | Kemoko Turay | Defensive end | Rutgers | From Baltimore via Philadelphia |
| 2 | 64 | Tyquan Lewis | Defensive end | Ohio State | From Philadelphia via Cleveland |
| 4 | 104 | Nyheim Hines | Running back | NC State | |
| 5 | 159 | Daurice Fountain | Wide receiver | Northern Iowa | From Kansas City via Cleveland, New England, and Oakland |
| 5 | 169 | Jordan Wilkins | Running back | Ole Miss | From Philadelphia |
| 6 | 185 | Deon Cain | Wide receiver | Clemson | From Oakland |
| 7 | 221 | Matthew Adams | Linebacker | Houston | |
| 7 | 235 | Zaire Franklin | Linebacker | Syracuse | From Seattle via NY Jets |
Draft trades
- The Colts traded their first-round selection to the Jets in exchange for the Jets' first-round selection, two second-round selections, and their second-round selection in 2019.
- The Colts traded a second-round selection they received from the Jets to the Eagles in exchange for the Eagles' second-round selection and fifth-round selection.
- The Colts traded their third-round selection and their sixth-round selection to the Browns in exchange for the Browns' second-round selection.
- The Colts traded their fifth-round selection to the Raiders in exchange for the Raiders' fifth-round selection and sixth-round selection.
- The Colts traded defensive end Henry Anderson to the Jets in exchange for the Jets' seventh-round pick previously acquired from Seattle.
Staff
Final roster
Preseason
Regular season
Schedule
The Colts' 2018 schedule was announced on April 19.Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.