3 veteran quarterbacks Colts could sign as insurance options for a rookie QB
The Indianapolis Colts are preparing to select a quarterback in the draft but Indy also needs to add a quality veteran to the quarterback room as well.
Finally, the Indianapolis Colts are in position to select a quarterback at the top of the draft. It took an ugly 4-12-1 season, but as a result, Indy landed the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. With that pick, the Colts will select a quarterback that will hopefully become Indy’s franchise QB for years to come. Indy may even trade up to select a guy; either way, Indianapolis is leaving the first round of the draft with a quarterback.
However, that doesn’t mean that Indy can officially abandon its veteran quarterback carousel. Throughout the history of the NFL, it’s been proven time and time again that it’s serves teams well to have a veteran quarterback on the roster with a rookie as insurance. Sometimes, rookie quarterbacks aren’t ready to start day one. Even if they are, it’s always great to have an experienced veteran around that can help the rookie QB transition to the NFL, and also be willing to step in if needed.
The current quarterbacks on Indy’s roster are Matt Ryan, Nick Foles, and Sam Ehlinger. Matt Ryan is an ideal veteran insurance option, but considering his salary, and the way things unfolded with the Colts this past season, he’ll likely be searching for a new team soon. Ehlinger is still relatively inexperienced, and it’s unclear how the team feels about Foles. If the team wants to add a guy just to be sure, they’ll have some options in free agency. Here are three guys that make a lot of sense.
3. Colts could sign Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston isn’t officially a free agent yet. The New Orleans Saints offered Winston a restructured contract and he has until Wednesday, March 15, to accept. If Winston isn’t willing to accept the deal, the Saints are going to release him and he’ll become a free agent. Regardless of Winston’s decision, New Orleans is moving forward with Derek Carr as its QB1.
If Winston does ultimately become a free agent, he makes a lot of sense in Indianapolis. Jameis Winston was the No. 1 overall pick in 2015, and he has been through a ton in this league. He’s been a franchise quarterback and a backup, been injured, and has also had success and struggles on the field. His eight years in the NFL should make him a good mentor for whatever young quarterback Indianapolis selects.
If push comes to shove, Winston can also start and offer the Colts solid quarterback play. Playing in 10 games over the last two seasons, the Saints had a 6-4 record when Winston started, and he completed over 60% of his passes for 2,028 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions.