The official start to the NFL offseason is less than a month away, but we could see some big-time moves happen before March 19th.
In the past, quarterbacks have been traded in January and February, including Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts last year.
Like many teams, the Colts have made many trades in the past. Some have been big hitters and some have been moves that have set the franchise back for years.
Looking at the trade for Wentz last year, it may go down in franchise history as one of the worst trades ever. Indianapolis sent a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 conditional first-round pick based on certain parameters. That pick became a first-round pick when Wenz played in 75% of the snaps back in December.
The Philadelphia Eagles used the ’21 third-round pick to move up two spots in the first round to select DeVonta Smith with the 10th overall pick of the draft. Gaining the draft capital was an important piece in that move with the Dallas Cowboys.
Before we start saying that Wentz was the worst trade in Colts history, let’s consider some other very bad trades the Colts have made.
4. Colts trade Jerry Hughes to Buffalo Bills
In 2013, this didn’t seem to be too bad. Jerry Hughes wasn’t a household name, even after being selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft by Bill Polian.
Hughes totaled 41 tackles and five sacks in his three years in Indianapolis. That’s the kind of production level from current Indianapolis pass rushers that have Colts fans wanting change. This was known as one of Polian’s worst draft picks ever.
He was sent to Buffalo and in return, Indianapolis received Kelvin Sheppard in a player-for-player exchange. Sheppard moving to the Colts allowed the Bills to start Kiko Alonso, which helped their defense out.
Former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson wanted toughness on the Colts defensive line and believed that Sheppard would fit that well.
Sheppard ended up playing just one season in Indianapolis. He played in 15 games total and started just seven. He had a combined 46 tackles that season with just two QB hits and three tackles for a loss.
Kelvin went on to play for the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions. He was never the star that Grigson thought he would be.
Hughes on the other hand became a pivotal player for the Bills. He started in one game in 2013 but played in all 16. He followed that up by being a starter in all but two games since. From 2014 to this last season, he has played in 128 games (out of 129) and started 126 of them as a defensive end.