INDIANAPOLIS — Yes, it’s been a minute.
The last time the Indianapolis Colts won a season-opener, the quarterback who’ll lead them into their next season-opener was a junior at Charlotte Latin School in North Carolina who would pass for 2,398 yards and 27 touchdowns.
That would be Daniel Jones, who’ll play a pivotal role in the Colts’ attempt at breaking an 11-year winless streak in season-openers when the Miami Dolphins visit Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday.
The number of current Colts who were in the NFL on that Sept. 8, 2013, afternoon when Andrew Luck led the franchise to a 21-17 win over the Oakland Raiders, its last positive opening-day experience?
Zero.
Rosters have turned over and names changed — general managers, head coaches, players — but the result has been the same.
The Colts’ 11-year drought is the NFL’s longest active stretch of futility. That includes a near-hit in 2022: the 20-20 tie at Houston.
“Yeah, we definitely want to break that streak,’’ Shane Steichen said Monday.
There will be no lack of hype and emotion.
Along with the normal opening-day buzz and optimism for what the season might be, the Colts are adding late owner Jim Irsay to their Ring of Honor. A moment of silence is planned along with the induction ceremony at halftime.
“We’re not just playing for ourselves,’’ Steichen said. “We’re playing for this city, we’re playing for Mr. Irsay every time we go out there, and we’re excited for the opportunity.
“We know Miami is a good football team, but to start off week 1 at home and give everything we’ve got to break that streak will be huge.’’
Steichen, general manager Chris Ballard and their support staffs did a deep dive during the offseason on how to be better-prepared for the start of the season. Had they been doing something wrong? What adjustments could be made to the offseason workout program and training camp routine?
Along with the opening-day failures, the Colts too often have dug themselves an early hole. Since 2014, they’re 18-21-1 in September and have opened a season 0-2 or worse six times.
The NFL is an 18-week marathon, but slow starts increase the difficulty of the pursuit of a division title or wild-card berth. The Colts haven’t won the AFC South since 2014 and have failed to reach the playoffs in four straight seasons, their worst streak in more than three decades.
Steichen is confident the team’s refocused preparation will make a difference. He sought to amp up the physicality and intensity during training camp in Westfield. The overall schedule added more than 400 reps to team periods. Frequently, Steichen interrupted the flow of practice with “sudden change’’ sessions.
“We talked about creating an edge and being in great condition,’’ he said. “All those things through camp, creating that edge, the sudden-change things, obviously starting fast is a big part of this thing, and that’s what we’re looking to do come Sunday.’’
Several changes are obvious:
*Jones earned the nod over Anthony Richardson Sr. and will be the sixth different opening-day starter since Luck’s retirement two weeks before the start of 2019. He needs to become just the fifth quarterback since 1984 to lead the Colts to a week 1 win. The others: Peyton Manning, Luck, Jim Harbaugh and Mark Herrmann.
By the way, Jones was 1-4 as an opening-day starter with the New York Giants with a 70.2 passer rating.
*Aggressive offseason moves added, along with Jones, cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Cam Bynum. When injuries depleted the cornerbacks room, Ballard signed two-time All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard and traded for Mekhi Blackmon.
The back end of Lou Anarumo’s defense should get a stiff test Sunday against quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
“It’ll be a helluva test,’’ Steichen said. “Those two wideouts are two of the best in the league.’’
*The April draft delivered tight end Tyler Warren to Steichen’s offense, and the No. 14 overall pick at least matched the hype during training camp and preseason games.
All that remains is for Jones to do what quarterbacks have failed to achieve since 2013, including Luck four times and Richardson twice.
Win an opener. Prove everything that’s been done leading up to Sunday — including Monday’s walkthrough — was the proper blueprint.
“I think that’s all part of it, right?’’ Steichen said. “You build it up in the spring and all the way through training camp to get to week 1. I think that’s where the excitement comes in — all the hard work you’ve put in through the offseason to get to week 1 and start the season.
“So, I’m excited for our guys. I’m excited for our team. Like I said, to go week 1 at home against Miami in Lucas Oil Stadium in front of our fans, fired up for that.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.