Indianapolis Colts: 5 possible quarterback scenarios heading into 2021

This year, there is no difference. The Colts quarterback situation continues to be a sore thumb since the untimely retirement of Andrew Luck before the 2019 season. Last year, general manager Chris Ballard reunited Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni with Philip Rivers on a one-year deal.

Rivers was never the long-term solution to the quarterback problem, but I’d be lying if I said I thought Rivers would retire after just one year with the Colts. I believed Rivers would play two years in Indianapolis and then they’d turn the keys over to Jacob Eason as the future of the franchise.

While Rivers didn’t light up any stat sheets last season, he provided the Colts with quarterback play that was above average. Despite a few outlier games — Week 1 in Jacksonville and Week 5 against the Browns — Rivers had a good season all things considered. Not only did he give the Colts a boost over Jacoby Brissett, but he gave leadership to a young team with two rookies who needed it in Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor.

Rivers had a competition percentage of 67% and threw 26 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Along with those stats, he had a quarterback rating of 96 and threw for nearly 4,500 yards. Compare that to the 2019 season with Brissett, who only threw for 2,900 yards and 18 touchdowns against six interceptions.

The biggest difference, however, is the completion percentage, which was just above 60% for Brissett, and the lack of downfield passing (6.6 for Brissett and Rivers was close to 8). Colts fans’ biggest gripe in 2019 was the lack of aggressive downfield passing, and that shows in the statistical analysis. Although Rivers had a better season, the Colts were only one loss away from missing the playoffs and the Week 1 loss to a 1-15 team haunted them all season long as the Tennessee Titans took home the AFC South crown.

As I see it, the Colts have three options for a quarterback this offseason: they can roll with Brissett again and risk the lack of a potent aerial attack; they can draft another quarterback, but that doesn’t make too much sense with the team in win-now mode and possessing a top-10 defense; or they can acquire an established quarterback through a trade or free agency.

Here are five ways the Colts can achieve their desired outcome for a quarterback this offseason.

5. Sam Darnold

New York Jets QB Sam Darnold could be available via trade soon.

Sam Darnold is a young player with plenty of ability and talent on a team that’s wasting away every year. The Jets finally moved on from Adam Gase. Along with that, they may be trying to go after a top quarterback with that second overall pick and start fresh. Should they go in that direction, that’ll likely mean Darnold will be on the trade block.

Darnold has been a decent player on an otherwise awful team. Last season, when the Colts played against the Jets, Indy’s defense returned two interceptions to the house, but forgot about Darnold’s scrambling ability.

Even better is the contract situation for him. He’s on the final year of his rookie deal he signed in 2018 that was worth $30 million over the course of four years. This season, the cap hit for the Colts would only be $4 million and, in turn, they’d be able to extend him at a fair market value or pick up the fifth-year option of the rookie deal. Compare that to the one-year, $25 million deal we gave Rivers.

In coming full circle, the Colts could, in theory, trade for Darnold when it was the Jets who traded for the third overall pick in 2018 with the Colts to move up and select the former USC star. With the picks the Jets sent to the Colts, Ballard drafted Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith and Rock Ya-Sin. The Colts could come out on top again by getting a quarterback and adding a piece to a team that’s ready for a Super Bowl run.

4. Carson Wentz

It seems unlikely, but never say never. The Colts could trade for Carson Wentz.

A Carson Wentz/Frank Reich reunion would likely be mutually desired. Wentz has been a player who is very up and down and was benched last season for rookie Jalen Hurts. However, Wentz can still play at an elite level if given the proper coaching and situation. Since the LeSean McCoy trade, the Eagles haven’t had that playmaker on offense save for Zach Ertz, who could be on the move as well.

Wentz struggled last season and the quarterback situation in Philly turned out in favor of Hurts. Former Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni is now the current head coach as Doug Pederson was ousted just a few years after an incredible Super Bowl win against the New England Patriots. Sirianni is right, the two players currently under contract for the quarterback are top-notch players who can both start.

However, unlike Darnold, Wentz carries a monster contract that goes against everything Ballard stands for. During the 2019 offseason the Colts were rumored to be making a move for wide receiver Antonio Brown, but nothing came of it. Ballard made it very clear that the only way he’d sign free agents or make trades was if it made sense for both sides, a breath of fresh air after Colts fans are still mad about the Trent Richardson trade under former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson.

The Eagles would be hit with nearly $60 million in dead cap if they choose to release Wentz, which is why a trade is more likely. Currently, the 2021 cap hit would be nearly $35 million, a big increase from the $25 million Rivers had. This scenario seems the most unlikely.

3. Matt Ryan

Reports suggest Matt Ryan won’t be traded, but the Colts could convince them otherwise.

The Atlanta Falcons have the fourth overall pick and will presumably take one of the top quarterbacks that are available. This would leave the 35-year-old Matt Ryan either packing his bags or preparing the team to transition away from him within the next season or two.

This past season, the Falcons cleaned house. Goodbye Dan Quinn. Goodbye everyone in the front office. New regime incoming! Just a few years removed from a life-altering loss in the Super Bowl, the Falcons are getting closer to rebuilding than most people are willing to admit.

Although the front office is currently taking the stance that Ryan will be on the Falcons in 2021, things can change, as we all know. The Falcons are in the same situation the Colts were in when Peyton Manning left the team. They have an aging star receiver with injury issues, a defense that can’t stop a nose bleed, and an offensive line that needs more help than you’re willing to give them.

This is why if the Colts came in and offered a conservative bargain for the Falcons, say a second-round pick (he has cap hits of $41 million, $41 million and $36 million over the next three years), I don’t see why the Falcons wouldn’t make that deal with their current roster needing massive improvements.

Then again, his contract situation could dissuade Ballard.

Ryan has played well even with back-to-back 4-12 seasons with an organization that doesn’t seem to care about the atrocious offensive line and awful running game. Ryan would come to Indianapolis with an offensive-minded coach, two fantastic young running backs, an offensive line that only allowed 14 sacks last year, a Super Bowl-ready roster, and a defense that’s top 10 in every category — all things he doesn’t have in Atlanta.

2. Mac Jones

Could the Colts take a chance on the Alabama prospect?

Picking at 21st overall, the Colts are highly unlikely to get Zach Wilson or Justin Fields. However, they could get Alabama’s Mac Jones in the draft. The only team I see taking him before the Colts would be New England, who needs a young quarterback desperately.

The best part about Jones is the NFL-ready program at Alabama, not to mention the gunslinger’s insane efficiency. Jones had one of the best seasons last year, throwing 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions with a 75% completion percentage and nearly 4,500 yards, good for a 141 passer rating.

Even better is the NFL readiness he seems to have. The 23-year-old made some seriously good throws at the Senior Bowl practice like the one above. Jones would fit in great with the offensive-minded coaching staff right now and would be a dream for Reich to have.

1. Jacoby Brissett

Is a return to Indianapolis in the cards for Jacoby Brissett?

If all else fails, the Colts could re-sign Brissett and roll with him for another year if no trade can be made. Then, maybe, they take a wide receiver with the No. 21 pick. Let Brissett start the year, and if he’s terrible, give way to Eason.

Not only does this make sense, but it also doesn’t cost the Colts anything to give up. If Ballard feels that Brissett has developed a bit more under Rivers, I’d expect them to stick with him and hold his feet to the fire. Not the best option, but the Colts will need something if everything else dries up.

Brissett is a familiar face who knows the offense and knows how to win. The Colts were 5-2 before their midseason collapse in 2019. After all, based on the way this offense is built, the Colts need someone who is going to take care of the ball and make a handful of plays per game.

However, this option isn’t popular with some Colts fans. I understand that, but the upside is we don’t have to give up any trade capital or have a giant salary cap hit to the quarterback position. And we can eventually see what we have in Eason and perhaps explore options at the trade deadline.

In the end, I have faith that Ballard and Reich will work together to find the best player they can to fill the QB role for 2021 without hastily making a decision.

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