Shane Steichen speaks on the Colts plans for Gardner Minshew

Indianapolis Colts head coach, Shane Steichen, recently spoke with the media about the team’s plan for veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew.

The Indianapolis Colts added a couple of Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. One is Shane Steichen, Indy’s new head coach and formerly Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator. The other Eagle that came to Indianapolis this offseason is quarterback Gardner Minshew. After playing the last two seasons of his career under Steichen, Minshew decided to follow the coach to Indy.

With the Eagles, Minshew was the backup quarterback for Jalen Hurts. Although he was once a starter in this league, everyone assumed Minshew was joining the Colts to be a veteran backup for the young quarterback that Indy is like to select in the 2023 NFL Draft. While that could ultimately be the case, there’s also a chance that more could be in store for Minshew.

Recently, at a league meeting, Steichen spoke with Tom Pelissero about Minshew’s role with the Colts. Steichen said that Minshew is “coming in to just compete,” and when asked if Minshew would be named the starter, Steichen answered, “That's where we feel he's at right now and that's his role right now.”

Gardner Minshew could be the starter for Colts

The only other quarterbacks on Indy’s roster right now are Nick Foles and Sam Ehlinger. Foles will likely be released and Ehlinger is still relatively inexperienced, so it makes sense that Minshew is considered the starter right now. The real question is if Minshew will be a starter after Indianapolis drafts a quarterback.

Indy may not want to throw a young QB right into the starting lineup, so Minshew could be the bridge quarterback until the younger quarterback is ready. In the last two seasons under Steichen, Minshew appeared in nine games for the Eagles, starting four. In those games, Minshew completed 62.5% of his passes for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also added one rushing touchdown.

Minshew isn’t going to be the team’s long-term starter, but he’s capable of getting the Colts through a couple of games. However, the hope is that Indianapolis finds its franchsie quarterback in the draft. If the chosen quarterback is ready to start from day one, Steichen and Indy would surely move Gardner Minshew to the bench.

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