The Colts enter the 2021 season without knowing who is going to be their QB. The most important position in football will often be the biggest factor in how far a team can go in the playoffs. With the Colts already having a Super Bowl caliber roster, it’s important that they get the best option at QB, and hopefully make a run in 2021.
Below I rank, in order, the best realistic QB options for the Colts this offseason based on the QBs that are or may become available:
1. The Dream: Russell Wilson
Now I know this is certainly a reach but could you imagine. Russell Wilson has slowly started to show his doubts with the Seattle Seahawks. He said he’s “starting to get frustrated with getting hit.” There is no better place to come than Indianapolis if you don’t want to get hit. With Wilson under center for the Colts, they’d be right up there with the Chiefs as the team to beat in the NFL.
2. AFC South Conflict: Deshaun Watson
Another dream for Colts fans, but only because of the division the Colts play in. If the Colts weren’t in the AFC South, I’d say they’d be one of the favorites to land Watson, especially with the draft picks, cap space, and current talent on their roster. I don’t see the Texans trading Watson within the division, but if they’re dumb enough, it’s possible the Colts have the best package to offer them.
3. Missed out: Matthew Stafford
The best and most realistic QB option for the Colts has already been traded to the Rams, and the Colts missed out. Now I know it was a hefty price to pay for Stafford, but he would be the exact piece that could of put the Colts over the top. He’s been a great quarterback on a consistently bad team in Detroit, and now gets to play with the best defense in the league and has a few good weapons. Indianapolis missed big on this one, and I’m sure most Colts fans feel the same way.
4. Change of Scenery: Sam Darnold
Now that Stafford is off the market I am all in on Sam Darnold. I believe Darnold needs a change of scenery from the dumpster fire that is the Jets. Since they drafted him, they have made bad decision after bad decision, and he has been the one to pay. Now he still makes a lot of big mistakes and has bad turnovers, but I’m hoping if he has a better team around him, he won’t make a lot of the careless passes he has in the past. Darnold is still young and he’s still on his rookie deal, which means the Colts can trade for him, and if he still stinks next year, let him walk. The question is: how much would the Jets want for Darnold? If I am the Colts I offer the Jets a 2nd round pick for Sam, and if they don’t accept you move on. Only problem for the Colts if the Jets most likely want to add Sam as a trade piece in trying to acquire Watson.
5. Reunited with Reich: Carson Wentz
If the Colts can’t pull off a trade for Darnold I would like to see them reunite Wentz and Reich. I’ll be the first to say I am very down on Carson Wentz, and I believe the Eagles should go with Jalen Hurts to start next year. It seems Philly is already set their mind on trading the former 2nd overall pick. The Colts make the most sense for this trade. They have the cap space to take on his horrid contract, and they would be reuniting Wentz with Frank Reich, who was the Eagles OC when Wentz had his best season. I would be willing to do this trade as long as the Eagles asking price comes down a lot. I don’t know why the Eagles think they can get anything for Wentz after last season, and with the contract that is attached to him. If the Colts can make a deal and not give up too much, I’m all for getting Wentz and seeing if he can get back to his old form.
6. The Veteran: Matt Ryan
I am very split on my feelings about Matt Ryan. One side of me believes he still has a few good years and could be dangerous on the Colts. The other side of me thinks it’s too similar of a move to Philip Rivers. I know Ryan is better than Rivers, but is he really the piece that puts you over the top or is he just the piece that makes you a little better than last year? I think the Falcons are ready to move on from Ryan, and find their next QB so he will most likely be available, but I don’t know if the Colts should pull the trigger on a deal. If other options are off the table and the Colts still need to make a move, I’d say why not and take a chance on Ryan.
7. The Gunslinger: Jameis Winston
It’s still to be seen if New Orleans wants Winston back, but if they don’t there will most likely be a few teams interested. I’ve seen the Colts mentioned a few times and I hope this doesn’t come to fruition. Winston is good for a lot of yards and a lot of touchdowns but he’s also good for a lot of picks. He wouldn’t fit what the Colts are building unless he drastically changed his play. With the Colts great O-line and running game, you need a QB who’s not going to turn the ball over and one that is great in play-action. I think Winston is too prone to making the big mistake and see much better options out there for the Colts.
8. The Youngster: Jacob Eason
The Colts fourth round draft pick in 2020 is the only current QB on the Colts roster. I have been an advocate for Eason since last year. I want this kid to get a chance in the NFL. The only problem the Colts have is that the roster is too good to throw a rookie in there. If the Colts were completely rebuilding I’d say it wouldn’t be a question that Eason starts for them next season. Due to the Colts being good and needing just a QB to put them over the top, I don’t see them handing the reigns to Eason. It’s a shame because I really want to see what this kid can do on the field, as he has all the physical attributes you need to be a successful QB. Only way I think we see Eason next year is because of an injury.
9. The Draft: Zach Wilson, Kyle Trask, Justin Fields, Trey Lance, Mac Jones
In a last case scenario, the Colts don’t like any QBs in free agency or through a trade and they draft a QB in the 2021 NFL Draft. I hope this doesn’t happen. Other than Trevor Lawrence, I don’t see a QB in this draft being a game changer in their rookie year. If you want to go this path, you might as well start Eason. Only reason to draft one of these guys is to let them sit and hope they are the QB of the future.
Cam's Corner 