The Indianapolis Colts have to address their quarterback issue this offseason. They have tried to patch things together since Andrew Luck’s unexpected retirement in 2019 but to no avail. This offseason will be the best chance that they have to find a long-term answer at the position.
Armed with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Colts could opt to take one of the top passing prospects in this year’s draft class. That is the direction many mock drafts have them going in. But, there is a chance they opt to land an established player at the position.
With better quarterback play, this Colts team could have contended for a playoff spot this past season. Ownership may not want to do a full rebuild, which could lead to them scouring the market for one of the available veterans.
One player that the Colts should have an interest in if that is the route they take is Derek Carr. Carr’s tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders is going to come to an end this offseason whether it is via trade or them releasing him.
The Raiders have a three-day window to find a trade partner for Carr before his contract becomes fully guaranteed. Instead of allowing that to happen, Las Vegas will release him if no trade is found.
However, there is one hurdle to overcome which is Carr has full veto power. That means he can essentially choose where he wants to land. That complicates things for the Raiders, as Carr will have to approve any deal that he is part of.
If the Colts identify Carr as the player they want, they should be aggressive with a trade offer instead of waiting for him to hit free agency where they will have to bid against other teams. They can certainly get creative with an offer.
One deal that could entice the Raiders is if the Colts offered a swap, sending their No. 4 overall pick to Las Vegas for the No. 7. That would give the Raiders a better chance at selecting their quarterback of the future. If Indianapolis doesn’t want to move down the board, they can offer the third-round pick they have at their disposal in the 2023 NFL Draft and one of the extra fifth-round picks that they have as well.
Getting some sort of draft compensation is likely the goal for the Raiders. That is better than releasing Carr and receiving nothing in return. The Colts should be motivated to make a deal and get Carr into the facility as early as possible as you never know what can happen during free agency.
