The Veteran Quarterback Route Makes No Sense For the Colts
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
There might not just be one, but two Hall of Fame quarterbacks on the move. Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets are set to part ways this offseason, and the same is supposedly happening in Los Angeles with Matthew Stafford. In the past, the Indianapolis Colts have been enamored with adding a veteran quarterback that still has something left in the tank, riding the Philip Rivers/Matt Ryan Carousel.
But with where the Colts are at now, it doesn’t make any sense. Put aside your thoughts on quarterback Anthony Richardson being the face of the franchise for a second, and confront this simple fact: The Colts are not a quarterback away.
In past years when it went the route of the veteran quarterback, Indianapolis had less question marks across the board on its rosters. And even then, the plan still never fully came to fruition.
Sure, with Rivers, the Colts went 11-5, but fizzled out in the first round of the playoffs. They went back to the importing-a-veteran well in 2021 by bringing aboard Carson Wentz, and they fell short of a playoff berth. In 2022, the Ryan Experiment was an absolute disaster that blew up in the Colts’ faces.
In hindsight, it seems silly, but it has to be emphasized: In all three of these cases, the Colts believed that a quarterback was all they needed to push them over the top. In all three cases, they were varying forms of wrong.
Those rosters had talent, and so does this one. But Indianapolis needed a hell of a lot more then, and they’re in the same situation now. It’d be foolish to think otherwise.
General manager Chris Ballard was as blunt as it gets back in January, reflecting on the year that was. “Right now, we’re not close,” Ballard said. “I’m going to make this really clear. Close is losing on the last play of the Super Bowl. That’s close. Going 8-9, that’s not close. No, I’m not saying we won’t be closer when we get to the start of (next) season. But right now, sitting here today, we’re an 8-9 football team. We’ve got to own that.”
Does that sound like a team that’s a Rodgers or Stafford away? Does that sound like a team that, as currently assembled, Rodgers or Stafford would be giddy to join?
No. Now, let’s shift back to Richardson.
There’s been a lot left to be desired from Richardson after two seasons in what has felt like a roller coaster ride. It’s included a benching, some jaw-droppingly good throws, and some head-scratching decisions. This isn’t, however, a quarterback on the back nine of his career who’s already established a floor and a ceiling, and that’s what makes the mystery part of the intrigue.
What’s one more year of Richardson going to hurt? The hurt could only come from giving up too early and sending him elsewhere to bring in a veteran, only for Richardson to flourish in another uniform. For those who haven’t seen nearly enough in two seasons, your voice has been heard. But go back to the original point: This isn’t a team that is a quarterback away, but it’s also not a cesspool that makes a quarterback certain to fail.
There are pieces. The Colts have invested in a lot of young talent in the passing game. Running it back with Richardson being on more steady ground in 2025 will once and for all get a clearer picture of what he is or isn’t.
It’s worth mentioning that even after the benching of Richardson last October, head coach Shane Steichen reminded everyone of the promise in the Florida product.
“It’s a tough decision but I thought it was in the best interest of our football team,” Steichen said in October. “I feel like Joe [Flacco] gives us the best chance to win right now. With that being said, I’m not giving up on Anthony by any means, I’m really not. He’s a young player with a ton of talent. He’ll use this time to continue to develop and grow as a professional.”
Some of that is coach speak, sure. But the truth is that Richardson does possess a ton of talent which the Colts haven’t tapped into yet.
For a team more suited to win right now, Rodgers or Stafford will be an enticing sweepstakes entry this offseason. Both have hoisted a Lombardi Trophy and both showed in 2024 they can still play at a high level. But the Colts have tried to go this way before and have been burned. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try again, necessarily, but they should only take that leap if it makes sense. With where this organization is at right now, it just doesn’t make any sense to go back to the veteran QB well.
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