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QB Search: Who Will Be Under Center Week 1 for the Indianapolis Colts?

By Hunter Haas

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) runs the ball up the field during the second half of an Indianapolis Colts game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Rams won 27-24.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) runs the ball up the field during the second half of an Indianapolis Colts game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Rams won 27-24. /
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Indianapolis Colts, Carson Wentz
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz /

In-House Options: Carson Wentz, Sam Ehlinger, Jacob Eason, Brett Hundley

Most Likely: Carson Wentz

Despite the report, there is still a real chance that Carson Wentz remains as the starter. On paper, Wentz had fine numbers. He had a lower completion percentage than you would hope for but he displayed an ability to properly manage the game — for the most part. If a few more plays had gone the Colts way, the narrative around Wentz would likely be very different.

The Indianapolis Colts invested multiple picks in him, so it would be somewhat surprising to see them move off of Carson this quickly. Those paying attention can tell how hungry Colts owner Jim Irsay is for a Super Bowl though, as he has stated such a number of times in the past few years. Irsay — and anyone else with eyes — can tell that Wentz is not the long-term answer at quarterback.

Will he pressure general manager Chris Ballard into ripping the band aid off, rather than waiting another 12 months to do so? For a general manager as cerebral as Ballard, he will have something lined up in the event that they do decide to ditch Carson Wentz. Even with all of this, I still see it as a 50/50 shot that he returns as the starter.

Longshot: Sam Ehlinger

The other option currently on the roster is 2021 sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger. The former Texas Longhorn beat out Jacob Eason for the number two spot behind Carson Wentz. When Wentz was diagnosed with COVID-19 late in the season, Ehlinger was in discussions to get playing time in a pivotal week 17 game versus the Raiders.

Ehlinger played well in the preseason and quickly became a favorite of the coaching staff due to his relentless work ethic. He is not afraid to sling the ball around and he adds a rushing element that Carson does not provide. He will have to improve his technique and gain experience on the fly in order to put this team in a better spot than Wentz could.

As much as the staff likes the kid, he doesn’t really line up with the “all in” mindset that Jim Irsay has been going on and on about. Because of this, I do not view starting as a likely option for Ehlinger, but I do believe he has the best chance at being the back up than any other name in this article.

Not Happening: Jacob Eason/Brett Hundley

Both players spent time on the practice squad in 2021 and neither figure to be a factor in challenging for week one reps at starter for the Indianapolis Colts.

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