The NFL playoffs are reminding the Indianapolis Colts how important it is that they choose the right coach and quarterback this offseason.
This offseason, the Indianapolis Colts have two major decisions to make. The Colts must hire a head coach and will also likely select a quarterback in the top four picks of the 2023 NFL Draft. Obviously, those two decisions are important. However, the current playoffs are showing just how important those decisions are. Without the right coach and quarterback, teams virtually have no chance of competing for a Super Bowl.
That perspective manifested during Wild Card Weekend and it’s evident in all of the teams remaining in the postseason. The Colts can look no further than their division rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars were the worst team in the NFL during the two years prior to this season; now they’re in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. How did Jacksonville go from being the league’s worst team to a Super Bowl contender in such a short time?
First, the Jaguars drafted Trevor Lawrence No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. They also hired Urban Meyer that offseason. After realizing that the Meyer hire was a disaster, Jacksonville fired him and hired Super Bowl-winning head coach, Doug Pederson. Pederson was able to unlock the talent in Lawrence and several other young players that were acquired through the draft and free agency, and the Jaguars are now contenders.
That’s not just the case for Jacksonville either. The Jaguars beat the Justin Herbert-led Chargers, who many argue have the right quarterback but probably not the right head coach. The other remaining teams in the AFC are the Kansas City Chiefs with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, the Cincinnati Bengals with Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow, and the Buffalo Bills with Sean McDermott and Josh Allen.
In the NFC, the four remaining teams are the New York Giants (Brian Daboll-Daniel Jones), the Philadelphia Eagles (Nick Sirianni-Jalen Hurts), the Dallas Cowboys (Mike McCarthy-Dak Prescott), and the San Francisco 49ers (Kyle Shanahan-Brock Purdy). There may be question marks about a couple of those quarterbacks but it’s no question that their respective coaches have helped them answer any questions, and now they’re in the race for a Super Bowl.
If the Colts want to join this race soon, they have to hit home runs when deciding on a coach and quarterback in the coming months.
Colts have to choose the right coach and quarterback to be competitive
Indianapolis appears to know the magnitude of its upcoming decisions because, with the coaching search already underway, Indy isn’t leaving any stone unturned. The Colts have already had several interviews and requested even more interviews. It seems like they are planning to explore all possible avenues to make sure they make the right decision. Chris Ballard promised to be thorough and not rush the decision.
The Colts will seemingly take the same approach with prospective quarterbacks. Ballard already said that he would do whatever it takes, including trading up to the No. 1 pick, if he believes Indy found the right quarterback. Expect Indianapolis to be at every Pro Day and exhaust all interview and workout options for all the prospective quarterbacks. If the Colts can find the right quarterback and hire the right coach, they could be back in the mix as soon as next season.
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