Colts Still Tied to Trio of Veteran Quarterbacks

The Indianapolis Colts are still listed by oddsmakers as a potential destination for a few hot-commodity veteran quarterbacks this offseason.

We've been here before, sitting and waiting to see who the Indianapolis Colts' next quarterback will be while some analysts connect the dots between the team and an established veteran to man the position.

Since 2020, that approach has yielded very few positive results.

Most onlookers are on board with the Colts using the fourth-overall pick in the upcoming draft to find their signal-caller of the future, but there are still some stragglers tying the Colts to certain veterans.

SportsBetting.ag recently listed the betting odds for a few NFL quarterbacks and the team they may play for in 2023, and the Colts are listed as options for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, free agent Derek Carr, and actually have the best odds for Daniel Jones of the New York Giants.

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers Next Team

Raiders -200
Jets +140
Titans +1000
49ers +1600
Patriots +2000
Buccaneers +2500
Colts +2500
Panthers +2500
Commanders +3300
Falcons +5000
Giants +5000
Saints +5000
Texans +5000

If Rodgers were to become available, the Packers would have to release or trade him first. His relationship with the franchise has been notably rocky over the last few years, so either is a possibility.

Although he wasn't playing his best football the last we saw him, Rodgers is still incredibly accomplished. He won Super Bowl XLV where he was also crowned the game's MVP. He's a four-time NFL MVP, including two of the last three years. He's a five-time All-Pro (four First-Teams), 10-time Pro Bowler, and a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

Hypothetically, Rodgers could perform well for the Colts, but he still has an uncertain future as he turns 40 in December. If the Colts have a positive season with Rodgers and make the playoffs but fail to win the Super Bowl, and then he retires or heads elsewhere after the season, what was accomplished?

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr Next Team

Jets -300
Panthers +225
Saints +250
Buccaneers +900
Falcons +1800
Packers +1800
Commanders +2500
Colts +3300
Titans +3300
Texans +5000

Carr is much younger than Rodgers at 31, so while he has more of a future, you're still selling out the high upside of a rookie for a veteran who's never really been considered one of the top quarterbacks in the league.

Wherever Carr lands in 2023, he does stand a chance of showcasing his abilities while part of a stronger team than he's been given with the Raiders over the last nine years. However, pairing the Colts with Carr seems as if they'd be settling.

Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Daniel Jones Next Team

Colts +300
Raiders +400
Panthers +450
Jets +500
Patriots +600
Falcons +700
Bucs +900
Ravens +1000
Titans +1000
Packers +1200
Saints +1200

Perhaps the most likely (while still being unlikely) of the three, Jones is approaching free agency for the first time in his career and finally looked like a stud quarterback for the first time in 2022.

However, Jones is about to get a shiny, new contract and could reportedly garner about $45 million per year. Do the Colts gamble that Jones is still ascending and worth the price tag, or do they simply stay put and select their own franchise quarterback who will play under a much cheaper rookie contract initially? Probably the latter.

Also of note, current Colts quarterback Matt Ryan, who is not expected to be back with the team, is given +6600 odds to become the Las Vegas Raiders' next quarterback. The Colts are also not listed for the odds to acquire Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

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