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

Conclusion

To be quite honest, Chris Ballard and company have their work cut out for them. They painted themselves into a corner by trading for Carson Wentz, leading to their lack of flexibility in the trade market in 2022. It is hard to make a trade for an elite talent if you don’t even have a first-round pick to start the bidding with. That goes for both proven talent already in the league, and premier talent in the NFL Draft. Guys like Aaron Rodgers and Malik Willis are pipe dreams. Free agent options Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston do not offer enough hope to build around.

—A trade into the late first round is the most likely option outside of the Indianapolis Colts current roster. This requires a lot of things going Indy’s way, such as the guy they want falling and being able to position themselves to select him if it does occur. You can bet that the front office will be very active in the first day of the draft, even without a pick of their own.

—Kirk Cousins is the most viable option in terms of a veteran that offers a clear upgrade. He would not come cheap, so it would likely require some contract restructuring but that would not be a deal breaker. Cousins should come at a cheaper price than someone like Rodgers would, making it enticing (and possible) for the Colts to throw their hat in the ring if the Vikings do make their franchise quarterback available for trade.

—The most likely in-house option — as well as the most likely overall — remains to be Carson Wentz. With the picks and dead cap attached to Wentz, the Colts will likely have a hard time justifying a split if there is not an obvious upgrade available. After scouring all the choices, I lay Wentz starting in week one at 50%. I view it as a true 50/50 between Wentz and the field. It is sure to be a roller coaster offseason for the Colts faithful fanbase, buckle up because it is going to be a bumpy ride!