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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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Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Free Agent Options: Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota

Most Likely: Teddy Bridgewater

Teddy Bridgewater has had quite the journeyman career. He joined the Broncos —his fourth team in seven professional seasons — and posted a respectable stat line en route to a 7-7 record as the starting quarterback in Denver. Bridgewater has never produced a truly elite season, but does offer more accuracy than Wentz provides. This uptick in completion percentage is not without its drawback, however. He is not likely to produce many of the big gains downfield that Carson is known for.

I view Bridgewater as a quarterback with a similar floor, but a much lower ceiling. He does not seem like an option to take over as the centerpiece in Indianapolis, but he feels like the most likely option of this group.

Longshot: Jameis Winston 

Everything that I just said about Teddy Bridgewater? Jameis Winston is the exact opposite. He will never be mistaken for a precision passer, but Winston is willing to make the throws necessary for those coveted big gainers. In his last season as a full-time starter, Winston led the league in both passing yards (5109) and interceptions (30). This perfectly encapsulates the type of player that he is. Winston is just as likely to carry you to a win as he is to throw you out of a game entirely.

Even with a somewhat impressive 2021 season, prior to his injury, the lows are significantly lower than what Wentz has shown. The highs are not high enough to make this a worthwhile swap. It is hard to imagine this one happening.

Not Happening: Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota is another option in free agency. Who could have guessed that this is the type of article both Mariota and Winston would end up in after they were taken as the first two picks of the 2015 NFL Draft? The former Oregon Duck standout has not started a game since he was a member of the Tennessee Titans in 2019.

Mariota spent the last two seasons backing up Derek Carr on the Raiders and being used in special goal line and short yard packages. Much like Winston, Mariota has never been particularly accurate. While he adds a rushing aspect, he is limited in terms of arm strength. Marcus would feel a lot like having Jacoby Brissett out there… no thanks.

Wildcard: Ryan Fitzpatrick

FitzMagic lives!!! While this is far from a glamorous option, it could make sense if the Indianapolis Colts opt to draft a quarterback and move on from Carson Wentz. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a seat-warmer for the quarterback position nearly his entire career, and I am sure he would welcome another opportunity with a team as talented as this one. I don’t look for it to happen, but if the Colts are in the market for a veteran placeholder, there is none better than Fitzpatrick baby.

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