List of Indianapolis Colts starting quarterbacks

Prior to the 2020 season, the Colts signed free agent Philip Rivers, making Brissett again the backup quarterback.

[2][3] Indianapolis then traded a 3rd-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft for longtime Atlanta Falcons star Matt Ryan, who started at quarterback in each of the Colts' first seven games to begin the 2022 season.

The following year Shaw broke his leg in the fourth game of the season against the Chicago Bears allowing former Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Johnny Unitas a chance to start.

In the final game of the 1968 preseason, the muscles in Unitas' arm were torn when he was hit by a member of the Dallas Cowboys defense.

Despite this strong season and the return of Unitas during the game the Colts lost the Super Bowl to the AFL's New York Jets and their quarterback Joe Namath.

After Unitas was injured in the second quarter Morrall stepped in and led the Colts from a 7-point deficit at half time to a 3-point victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

[7] Unitas continued as the Colts' legendary QB, but age and injuries began to plague him further and in a hotly debated move, GM Joe Thomas traded him to the San Diego Chargers.

[8][9] Jones began to become injury prone and between that and poor personnel moves, the Colts suffered hard times in the late 1970s/early 1980s.

The Colts' owner traded him to the Denver Broncos for quarterback Mark Herrmann, rights to offensive lineman Chris Hinton and a first-round pick in the 1984 NFL draft.

Mike Pagel therefore remained as the starter, though sometimes losing his position to top draft pick Art Schlichter, who was a notorious bust, due largely to a gambling addiction which affected his play and ultimately saw him kicked out of the league.

Trudeau would remain the starter for the next few years, though Gary Hogeboom and Chris Chandler were obtained and started at various times.

Despite a difficult rookie season, where he threw a league high 28 interceptions, Manning and the Colts responded by finishing 13–3 in 1999.

In both 2003 and 2004 the Colts would lose to eventual Super Bowl winning New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game and the Divisional Round respectively.

In 2006 the Colts and Manning were finally able to beat the Patriots and their quarterback Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game on their way to a victory in Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears.

Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Johnny Unitas was the Baltimore Colts' starting quarterback from 1956 to 1972.
Jim Harbaugh was the Indianapolis Colts ' starting quarterback from 1994 to 1997.
Peyton Manning was the starting quarterback for the Colts from 1998 until 2011.
Curtis Painter started eight games in 2011.
Andrew Luck was the starting quarterback for the Colts from 2012 to 2018.
Matt Hasselbeck started eight games in 2015.
Scott Tolzien started one game each in 2016 and 2017 due to injuries to Luck.
Jacoby Brissett started for the Colts during the 2017 and 2019 seasons.
Philip Rivers was the starting quarterback for the Colts in 2020. Carson Wentz was the starting quarterback for the Colts in 2021. On March 21, 2022, Matt Ryan was traded to the Colts for a third round pick in the 2022 draft.
Peyton Manning holds many franchise records, including consecutive starts, as well as passing yards, touchdowns and passer rating.