I
ndianapolis Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard said during his season-ending press conference that competition for Anthony Richardson at quarterback is needed. But what options are out there for the Colts?
The need for competition for Richardson is two-fold, as Ballard described. For one, he has to prove that he can stay healthy, and in addition to that, he needs to show he can be more consistent as well.
We knew when we took him it was going to be a roller coaster,” Ballard said of Richardson. “The number one thing we have to figure out and have to work through is he’s got to stay healthy. That, to me, is the biggest question.
“We have to have competition at the position because competition makes you better and because he’s not proven he can stay healthy for 17 games.”
While adding competition is on the to-do list for Ballard, in what capacity that will be, we don’t know yet. Does he explore free agency? Or turn to the draft and spend an early to mid-round pick on the position?
All of that is to be determined.
However, if the Colts do choose to got the free agency route, who is set to be available this offseason?
Of course, at the top of the list is Sam Darnold. However, unless the Colts are fully ready to move on from Richardson–and I don’t get the sense that’s the case right now–Darnold may not be in play given the contract he’s looking to get on the open market.
The next tier of quarterbacks includes experienced veterans. This group is made up of Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Jimmy Garoppolo, Andy Dalton, Mason Rudolph, and Jameis Winston.
Similarly to what we’ve seen from the Colts during the Ballard-era, if they take a quarterback from this group, it’s a potential short-term answer if they end up the starter, but leaves the Colts going back to the quarterback-well in 2026. There’s a Joe Flacco-like feel to these signings.
Then there is the young crop of free agent quarterbacks who have varying degrees of NFL experience. In this group I’d include Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Drew Lock, and Mac Jones.
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