Colts fire coach Frank Reich after 3-5-1 start to season

The Indianapolis Colts on Monday fired coach Frank Reich after three consecutive losses. 

The Colts lost to the New England Patriots 26-3 on Sunday to fall to 3-5-1 this season. In his 4 1/2 seasons in Indianapolis, Reich compiled a 40-33-1 record with playoff appearances in 2018 and 2020.

This season was expected to be a more consistent, less tumultuous campaign for the Colts. After unceremoniously getting rid of quarterback Carson Wentz, the team brought in veteran and former MVP Matt Ryan from the Falcons. 

But Ryan turned out to not be the answer, leading the NFL in sacks, interceptions and fumbles through the first seven games of the season. 

Ryan was then benched and replaced with rookie Sam Ehlinger, who has thrown for just 304 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in his two starts. Ehlinger’s first start came against the Washington Commanders, who pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Colts. 

Reich’s tenure in Indianapolis will be remembered for its carousel at the quarterback position. Reich took over for Chuck Pagano in 2018, and with a healthy Andrew Luck, the Colts went 10-6 and went to the playoffs. But Luck surprisingly retired before the following season, and Indianapolis hasn’t been able to figure out the quarterback position since. 

Jacoby Brissett was the team’s starter in 2019. After he went 7-9, the Colts brought in former Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who led the team to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth. Rivers retired after the season, though, and the Colts traded for Wentz, whose time in Philadelphia had run its course. Wentz’s Colts went 9-8 last season and missed the playoffs due to a Week 18 meltdown against the Jaguars.