The Indianapolis Colts need a starting quarterback in 2026. Maybe that is bringing back Daniel Jones, but maybe it isn't. The QB might decide not to come back if he gets enough money elsewhere. Where would Indy turn then?
To Riley Leonard or Anthony Richardson? Unlikely. That could be the team's only hope. Or might it be?
As Indy fans all know, general manager Chris Ballard isn't afraid of bringing in an older quarterback who may seemingly be done. He's done it recently with Philip Rivers, the five-year retired QB who was coaching high school football. All Indianapolis asked of him was to save their sinking season. He couldn't.
Indianapolis Colts might need to place a call to Derek Carr if Daniel Jones doesn't return
The Colts tried to have successful seasons under Ballard with other aging QBs. Carson Wentz, anyone? How about Matt Ryan? What about Joe Flacco? Or even Philip Rivers with Indy 1.0 in 2020? None really worked out.
A new option might have opened for the Colts recently if Indy cannot bring back Daniel Jones in the person of the retired Derek Carr. The positive part? Carr is only 34 years old, younger than many other current NFL quarterbacks.
The negative part is that Carr retired because he had what seemed like a long-term shoulder injury. Not exactly the kind of thing one wants to have if they hope to play quarterback professionally.
Carr has not yet officially announced his return to the league, but he did speculate about the possibility with his brother, David, on a recent episode of the brothers' podcast Home Grown with David & Derek Carr. If one is thinking at all about a potential return, the reality might not be far behind, especially if the money is good.
Derek Carr did have a couple of stipulations, however. One was that he would have to be fully healthy. That isn't known currently. His health might not be confirmed (or not) until he gets a physical from a prospective team.
The other is that, in his words, he wouldn't return unless the team is capable of winning a Super Bowl.
Or as Carr put it, "Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not. Unless you're trying to make a run at this thing, the confetti falling, the Lombardi in the sky, that's what we're after."
Are the Indianapolis Colts close to winning a title? The answer might not be so ridiculous. The team was 7-1 before injuries hit the team, and that was even before the team made a move for cornerback Sauce Gardner, who was then, of course, hurt.
A healthy Colts team with Gardner, cornerback Charvarius Ward, defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, and other key players might certainly make a run at the postseason. A healthy Carr in Shen Steichen's system might just work. But let's hope that Daniel Jones comes back and ends any potential drama.