By Jordan Long
The Indianapolis Colts are looking for a new quarterback. They traded Carson Wentz to Washington. The Colts received Washington’s third round selection in this years’ NFL Draft as well as next year. Next year’s 3rd round could be a 2nd round if Wentz plays 70% of Washington’s offensive snaps. With this deal done, the Colts are searching for a new quarterback.
After this move, the Colts have two quarterbacks on the roster, James Morgan and Sam Ehlinger. Morgan has 3 snaps in the NFL, but they were running plays. He rushed for 9 yards. Neither Morgen nor Ehlinger have started an NFL game. The Colts could look at both of them during the preseason and training camp for them to battle it out to be the starter, But the Colts though are most likely going to either sign a veteran free agent or trade for one.
Right now, the Colts have around $69.8 million to spend once free agency opens on Wednesday. The Colts could look at free agents. This includes Jameis Winston and Teddy Bridgewater. Of course, others could be included. Winston has been a disappointment with his overall career record with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints at 33-44.
Last year he spent the season with the Saints. He started 7 games and went 5-2, passing for 1,245 yards and 14 touchdowns, and an impressively low 3 interceptions. Winston knows how to play the quarterback position. He showed that last year. Overall, Winston tossed for 20,982 yards, 135 touchdowns, and 91 interceptions. Winston could be the next quarterback of the Colts.
Another quarterback they could look at in free agency is Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater was with the Denver Broncos last year, going 7-7 as their starter. Bridgewater passed for 3,052 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Bridgewater didn’t take chances throwing the ball into double coverage. He looked for his check down receiver.
The only problem if the Colts sign Bridgewater is the fact that he takes chances running the football. He is a quarterback who will not slide but take the big hit. He had to leave the Broncos game against the Bengals in week 15 because he took a shot while airborne. That cost him the rest of the year.
The Colts might pass on both Winston and Bridgewater. They have a few options with trades, Matt Ryan which is unlikely, and Jimmy Garoppolo. Ryan has been the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons for the past 14 years. His overall record with the Falcons is 120-102 passing for 59,735 yards, 367 touchdowns, and 170 interceptions. He could be traded to Indianapolis. The Colts could take on his cap hit. It is around $48.662 million this year and $43.612 next year.
The problem with trying to acquire Ryan is the Falcons don’t want to let him go. He is their franchise quarterback. This may not be an option but how could it hurt for the Colts to make a call and see the asking price. If it is reasonable then make a trade.
The veteran quarterback who makes the most sense is Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers are willing to deal him because they have a young quarterback who they feel is a franchise quarterback, Trey Lance. They would like him to be the starter.
Garoppolo’s record as a starter is 33-14, passing for 11,852 yards and 71 touchdowns, and 38 interceptions. The Colts should take a chance. The 49ers are shopping him and if the price is right, he could be the next starting quarterback for the 49ers. It would be an upgrade for the Colts. His cap hit is more reasonable than Ryan at around $29.950 million but there is only a year left on his contract. The Colts would have to talk to him about a long-term contract.
The other option for Indianapolis is drafting a quarterback. They don’t have a first round selection. They would need to wait until the 2nd round unless a trade is made for them to jump into the first round, but that isn’t likely. Either way though, the Colts will look to upgrade the quarterback position.
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