The 2026 season marks the Indianapolis Colts' 74th in the NFL, their 43rd in Indianapolis, and their 19th at Lucas Oil Stadium, with General Manager Chris Ballard (10th year) and Head Coach Shane Steichen (4th year) at the helm. After posting back-to-back 8-9 records, the team is determined to improve, snap a five-year playoff drought, and capture the AFC South title for the first time since 2014. The regular season kicks off at home against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, and the schedule is subject to flexibility: games from Weeks 5-17 are open to changes (except Week 11), with Week 16 details finalized by the end of Week 14 and Week 18 by the end of Week 17. While the article outlines standard league components like the offseason, draft, and roster, specific player acquisitions remain undisclosed in the provided excerpt. Ultimately, this season represents a critical turning point for a franchise seeking to return to playoff contention under its current leadership.