Indianapolis Colts: The Top Five Quarterbacks in Franchise History

When they parted ways with Peyton Manning and made Andrew Luck the first pick of the 2012 NFL Draft the Indianapolis Colts set their sights on a new beginning. Fully expecting Luck to be their franchise quarterback of the future, the Colts have turned over the helms of the team to the rookie this season. While how he fares remains to be seen, here are five quarterbacks he needs to surpass if he is to become the greatest quarterback in team history.

Peyton Manning (1998-2011)
Drafted first overall in 1998, Manning went on to win 141 regular season games in 208 starts for the Colts. Along the way the future Hall of Famer garnered 11 Pro Bowl selections while winning four regular season MVP awards (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009) and one Super Bowl MVP (2006). Destined for the Hall of Fame when his career finally comes to an end, Manning racked up team records of 54,828 yards passing and 399 touchdowns during his stay in Indianapolis. Among his other team records are single season marks for touchdowns (49) and completes (450).

Johnny Unitas (1956-1972)
Long before Manning began setting NFL records in Indianapolis, Unitas was doing it for the franchise in Baltimore. During a 17 year tenure with the team, Unitas would lead the Colt’s to 117 regular season victories and NFL titles in 1958 and 1959 while also participated in the Colt’s Super Bowl V victory over Dallas. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979, Unitas was a 10 time Pro Bowler who threw for 39,768 yards and 287 touchdowns for the Colts.

Bert Jones (1973-1981)
Drafted with the second pick overall in 1973, Bert Jones took over the quarterback position vacated by the departed Unitas and would lead the team into the playoffs three straight seasons (1975-1977). At his best in 1976 when he quarterbacked the team to a 11-3 record, Jones was voted the NFL Most Valuable Player that season, compiling an AFC leading 3,104 yards passing along the way. Three times during his career Jones would throw for more than 20 touchdowns in a season, and though he lost most of 1978 and 1979 to injuries, the LSU alumni would close out his Colt’s career with 17,663 yards and 124 touchdowns.

Earl Morrall (1968-1971)
Though he would spend his career in Baltimore primarily as a backup to Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall would make the most of his time with the Colts compiling a 22-3-1 record when he started. He would go on to win the NFL MVP award in 1968 when he led the league in touchdown passes with 26. Though he would lose the Super Bowl to the Jets that year, Morrall would lead the team to a Super Bowl title two years later.

Jim Harbaugh (1994-1997)
Despite only compiling a 20-26 record as a starting quarterback for the Colts, Harbaugh would make the Pro Bowl in 1995 when he lead the NFL in passing with a 100.7 quarterback rating. The performance would earn him the 1995 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. A leader who would seldom turn the ball over, Harbaugh would lead the NFL in interception percentage twice, and he would finish his tenure with the team with 8,705 yards passing.