The 2018 season went well for rookie head coach Frank Reich and the Indianapolis Colts.
They drafted some elite players, finally had a healthy quarterback, and actually won a road playoff game.
However, everything seemed to fall apart at the conclusion of that season.
Andrew Luck retired at age 29, Luke Keuchley at 28.
Two of the game’s bright young stars, each walking away before they turn 30.
This game — and its players — are changing.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 15, 2020
Roughly two weeks before last season, franchise quarterback Andrew Luck decides to retire.
The Colts quickly scramble together and proceed with Jacoby Brissett as the quarterback for the 2019 season.
According to Rotoworld NFL’s Patrick Daugherty, Reich was named the 13th best head coach in the NFL for the second straight year.
What Happened in 2019?
The show must go on, but Brissett was a bit of a downgraded from the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Luck.
Reich ran the league’s fastest offense in 2018, but slowed it down to accommodate Brissett’s style of play.
Brissett started out hot, but threw only four touchdowns over the final seven games of the regular season.
He would often take the shorter safe routes than actually throw the ball downfield.
It led to a decent stat line, but hurt the Colts offense significantly all season long.
Hall of Famer kicker Adam Vinatieri had his worst season of his career in 2019.
He went 17-for 25 on field-goal attempts and 22-for-28 on extra-point attempts last season.
Making some of those kicks would’ve put the Colts in better position and possibly won them games.
Despite all the issues, Reich was still able to pull the team together and go 7-9 in 2019.
The Colts didn’t make the playoffs, but played fairly solid for losing your franchise quarterback just a few weeks before the start of the season.
Will it Get Better in 2020?
The Colts have made some major improvements over the offseason.
They added 16-year veteran quarterback Philip Rivers on a one-year $25 million deal.
Rivers’ best three-year stretch was under Reich while they were together on the San Diego Chargers.
Last season, Rivers fell a bit downhill, but Reich believes that he can turn the eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback around.
Reich believes that Rivers can succeed with a solid offensive line and a strong running game.
The Colts added wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and running back Jonathan Taylor through the draft.
Both players should immediately make a significant impact on the team right away.
The #Colts are signing Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, source said. A new home for Hot Rod.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 25, 2020
After the draft concluded, they signed undrafted kicker Rodrigo Blankenship.
The Georgia kicker was arguably the best kicker in the draft, but somehow ended up undrafted.
Lastly, the Colts traded their first-round pick for superstar defensive end DeForest Buckner.
This roster is absolutely stacked with talent and should be a deep playoff threat in 2020.
Should Reich Be Ranked Higher?
Over two seasons with the Colts, Reich has a career record of 17-15.
Whether it’s fair or not, that’s his current record.
He’s proven to be a skilled offensive play-caller and adapts to his quarterback’s strengths.
Reich is already one of the better head coaches in the league.
He has a revamped roster and the NFL has expanded their amount of playoff teams going forward.
Reich is currently ranked 13th, but could quickly be on the rise after the 2020 season.
