Colts’ Shane Steichen: Gardner Minshew Will Have Chance to Start

The Colts own the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and many observers expect them to address the quarterback position they’ve struggled to fill ever since Andrew Luck’s retirement in 2019. But new coach Shane Steichen didn’t dismiss the idea that the team could already have its starting signal-caller on the roster: Gardner Minshew. 

“Right now, obviously, he’s coming in to just compete and be the best he can be, you know, and that’s where we’re going,” Steichen told NFL Network when asked whether Minshew will be named the starter. “That’s where we feel he’s at right now, and that’s his role right now.”

Minshew hasn’t started regularly since his rookie year with the Jaguars in 2019, when he burst onto the scene with 21 touchdown passes in 14 games. For the past two seasons, he served as Jalen Hurts’s backup in Philadelphia, where Steichen worked as offensive coordinator. The familiarity almost certainly was one reason why Steichen brought Minshew with him to Indianapolis.

“Yeah, Gardner’s awesome,” Steichen continued. “You know, I got to spend the two years with him in Philly and just the way he sees the game and processes the game. It’s like a coach you know, he sees it really well. He was great. Every time he had a chance to go and play, he played well for us and obviously had a big year in Jacksonville his rookie year. Just a tremendous person, loves the game of football, loves the X’s and O’s, so really fortunate to have him with us.”

In five appearances with the Eagles last year, Minshew threw for 663 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.