The Indianapolis Colts are getting back on the quarterback carousel this offseason. They have brought in veterans every season since Andrew Luck surprisingly announced his retirement ahead of the 2019 campaign and have yet to find any continuity at the position.
After one year as the starter Phillip Rivers opted to retire. The team traded for Carson Wentz next, hoping he would be the answer for years to come. After falling flat in the season finale in a win-or-go-home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, his tenure with the team was over.
Wentz was traded to the Washington Commanders and the team got what was perceived as a steal later in the offseason. Indianapolis acquired Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons for only a third-round pick, a move that was lauded in the football world.
Ryan was considered a sizable upgrade on Wentz and many people thought his addition would turn the Colts into Super Bowl dark horses. They fell woefully short of those expectations, going 4-12-1. Ryan, and the quarterback position in general, were a big reason for that.
Whoever was under center for the Colts during the 2022 season could not stop turning the ball over. Ryan threw 13 interceptions in 12 games with an interception percentage of 2.8 percent. Sam Ehlinger had an interception percentage of 3.0 and Nick Foles had an abysmal 9.5 percent.
Other factors went into their struggles. The offensive line did not perform up to expectations, surrendering 60 sacks on the season. Jonathan Taylor being unable to stay healthy hampered the running game.
In the market for another quarterback this offseason, the Colts have been linked to numerous prospects. They own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and should be in a position to select one of the top signal callers. But, what if they made a move before the draft so that they could address another need with that top selection?
Indianapolis should be keeping an eye on the situation with the Green Bay Packers. If the Packers opt to work things out and bring Aaron Rodgers back for another season, Jordan Love could be made available.
Love would be a great pickup for the Colts, who are seeking a long-term option at the quarterback position. Entering Year 4, he hasn’t had many opportunities to showcase his abilities on the field but there was enough talent there that the Packers traded up in the 2020 NFL Draft to select him in the first round.
Looking to upgrade the roster as a whole, making a move for Love would give the Colts a chance to evaluate him for two seasons to see what he has got as the starter. Given the track record that new head coach Shane Steichen has as an offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers, the franchise should have optimism that he can get the most out of Love.
Seeing as he has already been in the NFL for three seasons learning behind Rodgers, Love should be much further ahead than the prospects in this year’s draft class. Unless the Colts can move up to No. 1 and select Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, which would cost a lot of assets as well, they are better off making a move for someone such as Love.
It wouldn’t cost nearly as much to acquire him from the Packers as it would to move up in a trade with the Chicago Bears.
