Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Zeglinski

Why the Colts are the biggest losers of the Bears-Panthers No. 1 pick trade by far

In the aftermath of the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers’ blockbuster trade for the No. 1 overall pick, it’ll take time to assess the damage for most of the NFL.

But, as the Panthers ready themselves for a young quarterback prospect of their choice, and the Bears get set to contend with Justin Fields, another team’s loss is already clear: the Indianapolis Colts.

Ever since Andrew Luck retired, the Colts have treaded water at quarterback. They’ve started different parts of over-the-hill (and never-had-it) signal-callers like Phillip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan. Former head coach Frank Reich was fired in large part due to their perennial failures at the position.

Now, after a 4-12-1, bottom-out campaign, the Colts will very likely not have their pick of the litter under center. The team with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft (just behind the fortunate Arizona Cardinals) is taking it a rather drastic step further.

For some reason, the Colts are apparently still going to be picky about selecting a potential face of the franchise. Uh, I wouldn’t advise that risky path, folks!

There’s a massive chasm between thinking there’s no generational QB prospect and addressing QB properly. Because a team like the Colts, as they have recently, could “address” QB by signing someone such as Jimmy Garoppolo. And is that really solving a problem?

We’re just about six weeks from the draft, and GM Chris Ballard already finds himself in an unenviable quarterback bind. Something tells me that owner Jim Irsay won’t be so patient with the position or Ballard for much longer.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.