Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck decided to retire at age 29 last Saturday night. With Luck retiring that leaves the Colts quarterback situation in jeopardy. The Colts back up quarterback is Jacoby Brissett, he had been nothing more than average in his past outings. Brissett did, however, start 16 games for the Colts in 2017, he threw for exactly 3098 yards and 58.8% completion rate. Which coincides with his 13 touchdowns to 7 interception ratio. Brissett only averaged 194 yards per game. His record was 4 wins and 11 losses with the Colts in that year as a starter.
Brissett’s stat line is nothing to write home about, along with that his arm talent and accuracy is not great at all. There are many more viable options out there. These options are a mix of current NFL starters who need a fresh start. Joining them are some quarterbacks who have been in the shadows for too long.
Andy Dalton
Andy Dalton, the Bengals veteran quarterback has been very overlooked in Cincinnati’s super organization for too long. Dalton completed 61.9% of his passes last year. He also threw for 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Dalton barely had star receiver AJ Green and a walking injury machine John Ross. Dalton really only had Tyler Boyd, and Alex Erickson. If Andy Dalton putting up numbers with a team like that, as well as a horrendous offensive line, just imagine what he could do for the Colts. The Colts have one of the most elite offensive lines in all of the NFL, along with another great receiver T.Y. Hilton. Dalton could emerge as the franchise quarterback with a fresh start. The Bengals seem over with him being they drafted quarterback Ryan Finley in the fourth round of this year’s draft.
I think a fair trade would be maybe someone like Darius Leonard and a fourth-round draft pick for Dalton. I do think he would be the best man for the Colts quarterback situation.
AJ McCarron
Houston Texans quarterback, AJ McCarron is potentially the most underrated quarterback in this league, on the upside, he is still in his prime at age 28. McCarron hasn’t seen much of the field expect when in when Andy Dalton was injured in 2015 and he started the wild card game for the Bengals against the Steelers, he almost won the game. He would have won the game if it wasn’t for tons of defensive penalties. He doesn’t have too many stats to show in the NFL because playtime hasn’t been his friend. But in college, at Alabama, he won the national championship three times, including back to back in 2012 and 2013. McCarron has a great arm as well as precision accuracy especially on short to medium passes. In the Colts quarterback situation, McCarron would have a great speedy receiver in T.Y. Hilton.
I’m sure the Texans would let him go for cheap just because of the Deshaun Watson era being in full effect. The Colts could probably trade a fifth or sixth-round pick in 2020 and 2021 for him.
Trevor Siemian
Trevor Siemian currently with the Jets as a back up was a starter with the Broncos originally, he never received the respect he earned. In 2016, he started 14 games for the Broncos. Siemian completed 59.5% of his passes along with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Trevor has shown flashes of a great arm but I feel like Denver gave up on him too easy. Siemian showed all the necessities of being a starter in this league. Good arm, good mindset and an above-average leader. He finished that year with an 8-6 record.
A viable trade for Siemian would be something like a third-round pick. Very reasonable trade could be executed.
Peter Pujals
Peter Pujals is probably the most overlooked quarterback, as well as most underrated in this list and I don’t understand why. He has all the necessities of being a starting-caliber NFL quarterback standing at 6’1″. Pujals has been in camps with the Bears and Lions this past offseason. He played with the Atlanta Legends in the now-defunct AAF football league this past winter and even played on the Minnesota Vikings last preseason. Pujals always looked great anytime I have seen him play, I’m all in favor of him being the starting quarterback.
Wild Card Options
These options could be a little bit far fetched but they are not out of the picture. If I were the Colts front office I would be looking for a big arm. Hilton is very fast, he ran a 4.34 40 yard dash. If the quarterback has a big arm just let Hilton turn the burners on and get under it.
Nick Campbell
Nick Campbell is a very athletic free agent quarterback with a power arm. He hasn’t played in the NFL but he has been contacted by the Buccaneers, Jaguars, and Falcons. A good many arena football teams have had him attend mini-camps and tryouts also. He has played on the semi-pro circuit for a while and seeing him in action you can really tell how he leaves it all on the field and loves the game. He reminds me a lot of Russell Wilson because he has pretty good mobility as well as being 5’11’ like Wilson. Campbell also played college baseball like Wilson.
C.J. Beathard
CJ Beathard‘s time in the Golden State appears as it’s over with Jimmy Garoppolo returning from injury. The team benching him in favor of the third-string Nick Mullens last year just seemed like icing on the cake. Beathard is not a Tom Brady, or even a Dak Prescott by any means but he does have a big arm, the accuracy is what waivers. If Beathard can launch the deep ball to Hilton every so often I believe it’s worth a shot. Beathard seems like he has good knowledge of the game and a decent leader. I think having him in for a tryout would be great, assuming the 49ers cut him, if they don’t I think just a seventh-round pick would be enough to snatch him.
In Conclusion
With all the options on the table, I don’t think Jacoby Brissett is a great option for a starting quarterback with all the other guys waiting for an opportunity. We will have to see what the future holds for the Colts quarterback situation.
