No matter the quarterback, Colts continue to have all the same problems

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 26: Nick Foles #9 of the Indianapolis Colts attempts a throw over Kyle Van Noy #8 of the Los Angeles Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 26: Nick Foles #9 of the Indianapolis Colts attempts a throw over Kyle Van Noy #8 of the Los Angeles Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The Indianapolis Colts started Nick Foles in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers but that wasn’t enough to overcome Indy’s problems.

The Indianapolis Colts are bad. That’s been evident all season, but Indy has been persistent in trying to switch things up in order to cause some type of spark. The moves included firing offensive coordinator Marcus Brady, benching quarterback Matt Ryan for Sam Ehlinger, firing head coach Frank Reich, hiring Jeff Saturday as interim head coach, and inserting Ryan back into the starting lineup. The latest attempt to switch things up came on Monday night when Indy benched Ryan again but this time for Nick Foles.

Saturday made the change at quarterback in an attempt to open up the offense and add more downfield passing plays as the Colts tried to win their last three games. That plan was obvious, as Foles started Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers chucking the ball all over the field. However, despite the quarterback change and emphasis on deep passes, the 2022 Colts have issues that can’t be solved by rotating the quarterbacks on the roster.

Colts’ flaws persist in loss to Chargers

Since the beginning of the season, Indianapolis’ issues have been on the offensive side of the ball. More specifically, Indy has struggled to protect the football and protect whoever was at quarterback. That was also the case on Monday night. Foles, in his first start of the season, threw three interceptions. Two of those interceptions came in the first quarter. As far as protecting the quarterback? Foles was sacked seven times by the Chargers. As a result, the Colts lost 20-3.

The defense did its best to keep Indianapolis in the game but ultimately, Indy couldn’t overcome the problems that have plagued the franchise all season. The same problems that were present when Reich was the coach and when Ryan and Ehlinger were starting. Ultimately, it’s going to take more than switching out veteran quarterbacks to get Indianapolis back on track.

The good news is that the Colts currently have the fifth-overall pick in the NFL Draft. If they remain there or move up, Indianapolis will be in a position to potentially draft a franchise quarterback. The team will also be able to put together a good draft to address other position groups of need like offensive linemen.

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