There are several questions the Indianapolis Colts need to answer this offseason and while some are more prevalent than others, it seems the future is still encouraging.

Finishing the 2019 season with a 7-9 record that featured a dismal second-half collapse, the Colts missed out on the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. That, plus being without a quarterback for the future, should bring about some negativity when looking toward to the 2020 season.

However, in Touchdown Wire’s way-too-early 2020 power rankings, the Colts landed at No. 12.

12. Indianapolis Colts

Current cap space: $86,162,964
Primary free agents: LT Anthony Castonzo, DL Jabaal Sheard, TE Eric Ebron, S Clayton Geathers

Andrew Luck’s surprise retirement last August left the Colts in a pickle. Expected to compete at a high level with their franchise quarterback guiding a team adeptly constructed by general manager Chris Ballard and expertly coached by Frank Reich and his staff, Indy was left with backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who they knew from his 2017 season spelling the injured Luck. Sometimes it worked; sometimes it didn’t. Brissett completed 60.9% of his passes for 2,942 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions — not bad numbers, but the Colts’ passing game was almost completely missing the explosive plays needed to wrestle with the NFL’s best defenses. A 7-9 record isn’t good enough for the Colts, and Brissett may not be, either.

“Jacoby did some good things … but our passing game has to improve, unequivocally,” Ballard said at the end of the season. “The jury is still out.”

Generally speaking, when a GM says the jury is still out on a quarterback, the jury has already come back with a unanimous verdict. So watch for the Colts to take their scads of cap space (only the Dolphins have more going into the 2020 offseason) and address this with a certainty. They may have run out of Luck last year, but the Colts are in no way a falling or failing team.

Even without a solidified direction at quarterback, the Colts are still heading in the right direction. The offensive line is mostly young and thriving as one of the league’s top units. The defense is emerging and while a few pieces need to be added, they are trending upward.

There are some big needs that must be addressed this offseason, starting with the quarterback position, but there is still plenty to be optimistic about entering 2020.