Despite the quarterback change, the Colts should not be sellers at the trade deadline
With the Indianapolis Colts now starting Sam Ehlinger, some think the team should be sellers at the trade deadline but that would be a mistake.
A week away from the NFL trade deadline, the Indianapolis Colts made the decision to bench veteran quarterback Matt Ryan and start Sam Ehlinger for the remainder of the season. Although Ryan was struggling, the decision was a shocking move because the Colts were only 3-3-1 and Ryan had plenty of good moments as well. However, Indy decided to look towards its future and hand the keys to Sam Ehlinger.
While some argue that Ehlinger gives Indianapolis a better chance to win now, others believe this is a move the Colts made with the future in mind. If that’s the case, nothing says future like selling at the deadline. With the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, November 1, Indianapolis has several high-profile players that it can move for a great return of draft picks.
While there’s an enticing argument for Indianapolis to move some of its stars to contending teams and set itself up for a busy draft weekend, that would ultimately be a bad move for the franchise. It would be a bad move because it would likely force the Colts into a multi-year rebuild.
It would be a mistake for Colts to sell at trade deadline
Regardless of Indy’s struggles this season, it does have a talented team. This is mostly the same roster that had a league-high seven Pro Bowlers last season. Although some of Indy’s best players have been dealing with injuries or performing below their standard, they have still proven themselves in this league and it’s more likely that they will play well again as opposed to continuing to play poorly.
The Colts have worked hard to build the roster they have. Indianapolis isn’t currently seeing the results it wants but the team has drafted well and secured homegrown talent with great contracts. It wouldn’t make sense to throw most of that away at the trade deadline, even if it does give Indianapolis a haul of picks.
Having a lot of picks and not much-proven talent just puts a team at the start of a rebuilding process that should take multiple years. The Colts, as currently constructed, aren’t multiple years away from where they need to be. They’re actually just a couple of draft picks and a few quality offseason moves away from being a real contender. Selling at this trade deadline would be a backward move for Indianapolis.
The Colts should hold on to their talent through Tuesday’s deadline and let the season unfold. With the way things are going, Indy may have a top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. A top pick with a relatively solid roster is better than a lessened roster and a bunch of picks.
