Colts: Sam Darnold-to-Indy trade rumors continue to heat up

Trade rumors listing the Colts as a destination for Jets quarterback Sam Darnold continue to heat up.

Even Philip Rivers’ most adamant apologists can admit that the Indianapolis Colts have a quarterback problem. The 38-year-old gunslinger has looked like anything but the game-managing veteran who could guide a budding team to a potentially deep playoff run he was expected to be when Indy signed him to a one-year, $25 million contract back in March.

Through five games, Rivers has more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (four) and is essentially rendered useless whenever he faces pressure in the pocket. Given how much the QB position has evolved in recent years, these intangibles simply don’t equate to winning football.

Indianapolis has impressively jumped out to a 3-2 start in spite of Rivers’ woeful run of form, but they would probably be undefeated if he was more responsible and decisive. His arm strength is showing an alarming decline and fans are fully justified in questioning if signing him was the right move.

Despite all of that, however, there’s actually reason for Colts Nation to be optimistic. Why? Because trade rumors linking the organization to Jets signal caller Sam Darnold are continuing to make the rounds among NFL insiders on social media.

Bleacher Report draft analyst Connor Rogers was the latest to join that growing list and went as far as to say that the Colts are “the most obvious landing spot for Darnold.”

Who doesn’t like the sound of that? It’s worth noting that the Jets will likely wait to see how the rest of their season plays out before they (presumably) make Darnold available, so fans in Indianapolis shouldn’t be expecting a trade to transpire ahead of the Nov. 3 deadline.

When you couple the players’ lack of belief in head coach Adam Gase and the glaring shortage of talent on their roster, the Jets have a legitimate chance at finishing the season 0-16. Even if they don’t, you have to think they’re the frontrunners to land the top pick in next year’s draft.

If that happens, there’s hardy any chance the Jets pick up Darnold’s fifth-year option and turn down the opportunity to draft Clemsons star Trevor Lawrence, who is widely considered to be the top quarterback prospect in a generation. Let’s not forget that Jets current GM Joe Douglas didn’t draft Darnold, so he has no ties or reason to stick with him beyond the 2020 season.

The Colts, unlike New York, have all of the pieces in place — dominant offensive line, potent rushing attack and emerging defense — for a young quarterback like Darnold to come in and realize his untapped potential.

So many pundits and media members have written him off amid the slow start to his pro career, but we would assert that very few QBs would enjoy success on the current Jets. Throw in the fact that Darnold has three years of NFL experience and is still just 23 years old (he’s younger than Joe Burrow), and the Colts really have no reason not to pursue him via trade.

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