The Indianapolis Colts were expected to be Super Bowl contenders going into 2019, but a sudden retirement from Andrew Luck a couple of weeks before the season began changed things.

With Jacoby Brissett under center, the Colts went just 7-9 and missed the playoffs.

Of course, a rash of injuries helped derail Indianapolis' season, as the Colts were 5-2 at one point before health issues—particularly on the offensive side of the ball—began to rear their ugly heads.

But even after a lackluster campaign in which Indy lost seven of its last nine games, owner Jim Irsay sees a bright future:

“I believe this team is on the doorstep of great things,” Irsay wrote in a letter to fans, per Grant Gordon of NFL.com. “I am confident in the steady leadership of Chris Ballard and Frank Reich, who have built a culture of trust, toughness and teamwork that you can be proud of. I'm confident we have the right core of talented players who are ready to take the next step. And I'm confident that our great fan base, who stuck with us through thick and thin this season, will want to be a part of this journey every step of the way.”

There is certainly quite a bit to be excited about in Indianapolis.

While he faded down the stretch, Brissett displayed some impressive talent during the first half of the season, and it should be noted that his entire receiving corps was essentially hurt for much of the year.

In addition to receivers such as T.Y. Hilton and Devin Funchess, the Colts also have a dynamic running back in Marlon Mack, and while their defense isn't elite, they have some nice pieces on that side of the ball, as well.