Every Colts starting quarterback ever: Full list

The Indianapolis Colts have had some wild fluctuations in success, even going back to their days in Baltimore. One of the hallmarks of this franchise through the ups and downs, however, has been strong quarterback play.

The Colts have hosted two different players who had legitimate claims to the title of greatest of all time at their respective positions. Mixed in there, however, are some less-than-savory eras fans would like to forget.

Even after two legends have taken up almost 400 different starts between them, the Colts' quarterback history has some busts, one-season stints, and journeymen mixed in. It's all part of a fairly rich tapestry.

Every Colts starting quarterback ever:

Peyton Manning: 208 starts

The list of Manning's accolades could go on forever, as his play in the 2000s was as good a decade as any quarterback has ever had in NFL history from a production point of view. Manning (with five MVPs in tow) is still viewed as the greatest of all-time by many, and his mind-boggling numbers were achieved primarily with Indianapolis.

Johnny Unitas: 181 starts

Ask anyone who was the best quarterback before the merger, and Unitas is the clear winner. Not only was Johnny U setting records, but his production in the 1950s would be considered near-elite in 2024. His accuracy, big arm, and encyclopedic football knowledge.

Bert Jones: 92 starts

The 1976 NFL MVP is regarded as one of the biggest "what could have been" players in NFL history. Before injuries sapped all of his arm strength, Jones had over 8,200 passing yards while leading Baltimore to a 31-11 record. A healthy Jones would have challenged for passing records in the 1970s.

Andrew Luck: 86 starts

Yet another injury-shortened legend, the best QB prospect in decades led the Colts to an 11-5 record in each of his first three seasons while topping 30 touchdown passes in a season three times. Ultimately, injuries, including a lacerated kidney, caught up to him, and Luck retired before age 30. We will never forget, Ryan Grigson.

Jeff George: 49 starts

George had one of the strongest arms in NFL history, but his prickly personality and accuracy issues led to him struggling to get in a groove with the Colts. George was rightfully dispatched after four years, but he had some success after leaving. He threw for 4,000 yards in 1995 with Atlanta and led the NFL in passing yards with Oakland in 1997.

Mike Pagel: 47 starts

Pagel was picked in the fourth round the same year Art Schlichter was picked No. 4 overall in 1982. Pagel quickly became the starter, though he was never more than an average quarterback on below-average Colts teams. Leaving after 1985, Pagel was a solid backup for eight years with the Browns and Rams.

Jack Trudeau: 47 starts

Trudeau succeeded Pagel as starting quarterback, commanding the Colts for bits and pieces of eight seasons. However, Trudeau threw more interceptions than touchdowns as a starter, often leaning on the exploits of Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson.

Jim Harbaugh: 46 starts

Harbaugh actually had some success with the Colts, twice having the lowest interception percentage in the league and leading the NFL in passer rating in 1995. Ultimately, the idea of leaning on an aging Harbaugh was nowhere near as attractive as grabbing Manning in the NFL Draft.

Jacoby Brissett: 30 starts

Brissett got a good deal of work as both an Andrew Luck injury replacement and sudden QB1 following No. 12's retirement. While the Colts were just 11-19 in games he started, his 31 touchdowns against just 13 interceptions behind an iffy offensive line should earn him more praise than he gets.

Earl Morrall: 26 starts

Morrall started 26 games for the Colts, and he won a preposterous 22 of them. Morrall was so effective in 1969, when he replaced an injured Unitas, that he was named league MVP and guided Baltimore to the Super Bowl. Unitas soon returned, and Morrall became a backup before beginning his time with the undefeated Dolphins.

Marty Domres: 24 starts

Domres was one of many quarterbacks the Colts tried (unsuccessfully) to replace Johnny Unitas with. Domres threw more picks than touchdowns in the early 70s, which precipitated Indy leaning on Bert Jones to push them forward.

George Shaw: 20 starts

A former No. 1 overall pick in a time when scouting was much less advanced, Shaw had a solid rookie season in 1955 before eventually becoming a backup to Unitas in the late 50s.

Carson Wentz: 17 starts

Wentz's lone season with the Colts was a study in extremes. While he threw 22 touchdowns against just five interceptions in a 12-game stretch, many Colts fans remember him for losing two straight games at the end of the year to prevent them from making the playoffs.

Philip Rivers: 16 starts

Rivers was so old that Brissett had to come in for quarterback sneaks ans plays that required him to move. Still, Rivers had one of the best and most accurate arms the game has ever seen, and he sliced and diced his way to a playoff appearance before retiring.

Chris Chandler: 16 starts

Chandler is best remembered for taking the Falcons to the Super Bowl. Before any of that, he was a third-round pick in Indianapolis who put up average numbers before being kicked around the league as a high-end backup or solid bridge starter.

Every Colts starting quarterback with fewer than 16 starts: