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.
2. Colts could sign Jacoby Brissett
How about a Jacoby Brissett reunion in Indianapolis? Brissett played four seasons with the Colts, with his last season coming in 2020. With Indy, he played in 46 games, starting 30. In those games, Brissett was 11-19, playing through some dark times for Indy. Regardless of the team’s lack of success during that time, Brissett was always appreciated by the fans and the organization.
Brissett is a dedicated professional and is willing to accept any role for the team and is always ready to step up when his number is called. That was the case with Brissett and the Miami Dolphins in 2021 when he bounced between being a starter and a backup, and also the case with the Browns in 2022, when Brissett started in place of Deshaun Watson during Watson’s suspension.
In 2022, Brissett started 11 games, going 4-7, while completing 64% of his passes for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. If the Colts believe the quarterback they draft isn’t ready to start in Week 1, Indianapolis could use Brissett as a bridge quarterback until the rookie is ready.
More importantly, Brissett would be an ideal veteran to support a young quarterback as he grows in the league. Brissett can serve as a great example but can also help the rookie quarterback get prepared to excel for Indianapolis.
1. Colts could sign Cam Newton
This option may seem random, considering the fact that Cam Newton hasn’t played football in a year, but Newton insists that he isn’t retired. If he’s looking for a team to sign with this offseason to get back in the game, Indianapolis could be a great option. Newton also makes a lot of sense as a veteran insurance option for Indy.
There’s a misconception, fueled by Newton’s big personality and success in this league, that Newton isn’t willing to be a backup quarterback, however, Newton has expressed multiple times that’s not the case. Newton even stood on the sidelines as a backup during his second stint with the Carolina Panthers, so it’s possible the Colts could sign him as an insurance option for a rookie quarterback.
Newton has seen everything in this league, experiencing the highs and the lows that the NFL has to offer. Additionally, all of his former coaches and teammates have raved about how great of a teammate and leader that he is. He was already in a quarterback room with a highly-drafted rookie, so that’s a situation that he knows how to navigate.
Beyond Newton’s experience and leadership, his play style makes him a great option considering the quarterback that Indy might end up with. Sitting at the No. 4 pick, with two quarterback-needy teams in front of them, the Colts will probably end up with Anthony Richardson or Will Levis. What better quarterback to mentor a young mobile QB than Cam Newton?
Whether it be Newton, Jacoby Brissett, or Jameis Winston, Indianapolis will likely be trying to add a veteran quarterback to help steady the young-quarterback journey that’s often a rocky road.
READ MORE: 4 teams that will try to sign Bobby Okereke