The Indianapolis Colts will likely try to trade with the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 pick but Indy will have some competition trying to outbid them.
Since the Chicago Bears secured the No. 1 pick, it seemed plausible that they would end up trading the pick. The Bears have already have a young quarterback in Justin Fields, and they could stay at No. 1 and select an elite defensive prospect like Will Anderson, but it also makes sense to trade the pick for a ton of assets to a quarterback-needy team and still remain in the top 10. After a few weeks of speculation that Chicago could be keeping the pick and actually trading Justin Fields, it now seems as though the Bears have officially made the decision to shop the No. 1 pick.
On Monday, it was reported by Adam Schefter that the Bears are now “leaning toward” trading away the top pick. For teams like the Indianapolis Colts that need a quarterback, this is exactly the news that Indy needed to hear. Currently sitting with the No. 4 overall pick, the Colts are in a great position to negotiate a trade up to No. 1, something many draft analysts have already predicted will happen.
However, Indianapolis isn’t the only team that desperately needs a quarterback and they also won’t be the only team contacting the Bears trying to acquire the No. 1 pick. If several teams are interested in a drafting a specific quarterback, there could be a bidding war for Chicago’s No. 1 pick. If that happens, here are four teams the Colts will likely have to outbid.
4. Colts must outbid the Houston Texans
Indy’s AFC South rival, the Houston Texans, are one of the most obvious choices and biggest threats. Like the Colts, Houston hired a new coach this offseason and now need a quarterback to complete the next step of the rebuild. The Texans are entering the 2023 draft with the second-overall pick and could easily be content with landing the second-best quarterback of the class at worst.
However, if the Texans have their mind made up on selecting a specific prospect and don’t want anyone to jump them, they’ll be on the phone with the Bears to secure the No. 1 pick. From Chicago’s perspective, trading with Houston makes a lot of sense. The Bears would only be moving one spot back and would still be able to choose from all but one prospect. Additionally, the Texans also have the No. 12 pick in this year’s draft and Chicago may be interested in acquiring that pick in a trade package for No. 1.
This happening could be Indy’s worst nightmare. Not only would Houston likely select the quarterback that Indianapolis has its sights set on but Indy will have to face this quarterback twice a year for possibly the next decade. That should be enough incentive to motivate the Colts to get to No. 1.
3. Colts must outbid the Carolina Panthers
Frank Reich’s new team, the Carolina Panthers, could be an immediate threat for Indianapolis in the bidding war for the No. 1 pick. The Panthers currently have the ninth-overall pick but their need at quarterback could motivate them to do whatever it takes to jump seven teams and get the No. 1 pick from the Chicago Bears.
Carolina is probably the only team in the NFL with a crazier quarterback situation than the Colts in recent years. While Indy has had five different starting quarterbacks in the last five years, the Panthers have also cycled through guys. Carolina went from Cam Newton to Teddy Bridgewater to Sam Darnold back to Newton and then to Baker Mayfield, with Kyle Allen, Will Grier, and PJ Walker also sprinkled into the mix.
Despite all of the change, the Panthers haven’t found a permanent solution. They even drafted Matt Corral last year but he missed his rookie season with an injury. Now, it won’t be shocking if Carolina turns to the 2023 draft to look for another quarterback that could bring their quarterback carousel to a stop.
The Panthers could sit at nine and possibly select a quarterback like Anthony Richardson or Will Levis, but if they are captivated by one of the top quarterback prospects: Bryce Young or CJ Stroud, Carolina could be attempting a jump to No. 1.
2. Colts must outbid the Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders could be a major sleeper in this bidding war. A lot of discussion around Vegas has centered around the possible pursuit of a veteran quarterback but it makes a lot of sense for them to select a rookie as well. It may even be better for the future of the Raiders if they traded for the No. 1 pick instead of a veteran like Aaron Rodgers.
Las Vegas may have the best set of circumstances for a rookie quarterback to come in and immediately thrive. The Raiders Davante Adams, arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, Darren Waller, one of the league’s best tight ends, Hunter Renfrow, a Pro Bowl receiver, and possibly Josh Jacobs, the NFL’s leading rusher in 2022. Additionally, Josh McDaniels is the head coach, and he has a good history with quarterbacks, notably Tom Brady.
With the team recently releasing Derek Carr, quarterback is the biggest question mark for the Raiders. Why wouldn’t they want to trade up from No. 7 to No. 1 if there’s a prospect that they really believe in. Sure, they’ll have to give some things up, but they’ll be adding a talented rookie into a loaded offense and should be able to immediately compete.
Additionally, taking the rookie quarterback approach will allow the team to build while on a rookie quarterback contract. That means Las Vegas will be able to retain talented players like Josh Jacobs and pay other guys to build the roster for the next five years. It makes a lot of sense for the Raiders to move up, so the Colts should definitely be worried about them getting involved.
1. Colts must outbid the Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are another sleeper team to watch. Currently sitting with the No. 8 pick, one spot behind Las Vegas, Atlanta could be tempted to move up to the No. 1 pick if they fall in love with any specific quarterback prospect. Currently in the middle of a rebuild, quarterback still remains an uncertain position for the Falcons.
Last year, the Falcons signed Marcus Mariota and drafted Desmond Ridder. Mariota started the team’s first 13 games but after an underwhelming 5-8 stint as the starter, Atlanta turned things over to the rookie Ridder. Ridder went 2-2 in his four games as starter but he didn’t exactly establish himself as the future of the franchise. Could he be? Absolutely. But the Falcons may get wandering eyes.
If they do decide to explore the prospective quarterback market and one of the top guys catch their eye, Atlanta will be yet another team throwing their cap into the bidding war for the No. 1 pick. The Falcons won’t be the first team moving on from a quarterback that they just drafted in order to draft another guy that they like more.
The Colts will probably be hoping that the Falcons are content with giving Desmond Ridder a second season because that would give Indy less competition for the No. 1 pick. Whether the Falcons are involved or not, Indianapolis will have to outbid some other franchises.