Indianapolis Colts fans are suffering through another case of deja vu amid reports that quarterback Carson Wentz won’t return to the team.
If it wasn’t already a guarantee Wentz will be gone before the start of the new league year when his $15 million base salary becomes fully guaranteed, The Athletic’s Bob Kravtiz reported that behind-the-scenes issues involving Wentz have factored into his murky future more so than his on-field performance.
The Colts are clearly looking to upgrade, but that won’t come easy given the lack of intriguing names hitting free agency. That makes trading for an established veteran the most likely course of direction for Chris Ballard and Frank Reich.
It goes without saying Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Deshaun Watson are the clear standout trade targets this offseason. While any one of those stars would be a dream acquisition for Indy, it’s clear Wilson is the most realistic.
Several reporters and pundits have pegged Wilson and the Colts as a perfect match, and Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd became the latest to join this group on Thursday’s episode of “The Herd.”
Colin Cowherd today saying Russell Wilson should be interested in joining #Colts 📈 pic.twitter.com/m3nbcAVsec
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) February 24, 2022
Colin Cowherd is all for Russell Wilson being traded to the Colts.
Here’s what Cowherd had to say on the matter.
"There’s three places I think Russell Wilson should key in on: the Steelers, the Broncos, and the Colts. I think they share his values, I think they’re committed and focused, I think there’s adults in the room. I think they have a history of winning a lot of games … All three feel like they’re a quarterback away from competing at a higher level and two of them have offensive coaches."
Cowherd isn’t always spot-on with his analysis, but even rival fans can attest to the fact that Indy and Wilson need each other. With that said, we’d advise Colts fans to err on the side of caution amid all this speculation.
After all, there’s no concrete evidence that Wilson wants a change of scenery. All we have to go on is a report claiming he’d like to “explore his options” and rumored interest from a couple of teams — like Pittsburgh, Denver, and Washington — who are expected to make a big swing for a new quarterback this offseason.
We know Jim Irsay is a longtime admirer of Wilson’s, but it’s worth noting the Colts don’t have a first-round pick to bargain with.
Hit all angles. Train to Win. #NeverOffBalance pic.twitter.com/FdrvNM0QEL
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) February 23, 2022
A trade of this magnitude needs every box checked. While Indy has the cap space to absorb Wilson’s contract and the infrastructure to put him in a position to enjoy immediate success, would the Seahawks be brazen enough to trade him without acquiring a 2022 first-round draft choice?
Probably not, but that’s why Ballard and Reich get paid the big bucks.
The Rams proved this season that building through the draft isn’t the only way to win a championship. If Wilson has any interest in joining the Colts, Ballard and Co. need to lay it all on the line, even if it means they end up without a first-round pick for the next several years.
Colts writer believes he knows source of Carson Wentz cut leak
Colts writer Bob Kravitz of The Athletic believes Jim Irsay was the source behind the report that leaked the team's intention to cut or trade Carson Wentz.