ESPN Reveals Big Bonus for Gardner Minshew
The Indianapolis Colts drafted Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Richardson was considered a raw prospect who would likely need some time to develop.
Gardner Minshew signed a one-year deal with the Colts for $3.5 million according to Spotrac. He was veteran insurance for Richardson who could start some games early while the rookie got his feet wet.
Richardson hit the ground running, literally, faster than most had expected. By the end of summer camp, it wasn't surprising when head coach Shane Steichen named him the Colts' No. 1 quarterback.
Signing Minshew proved to be a shrewd move by Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard. Despite beginning the season as the No. 1 quarterback, Richardson only started and finished one game. By Week 4 he was out for the season with a shoulder injury.
Minshew stepped and led an improbable-playoff run. He had a 7-6 record as a starter and threw for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season. His 59.9 QBR was 13th in the NFL and higher than quarterbacks such as Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and Derek Carr.
According to ESPN, Gardner's good work on the season has earned him a hefty-financial bonus. "He earned $2 million for playing 60% of the Colts' offensive snaps," wrote ESPN.
Nearly doubling his 2023 compensation to $5.5 million was still a bargain for the Colts. Minshew will be one of the top free agent quarterbacks in 2024, and he should get a sizeable offer from a team in the quarterback-starved NFL.
The Colts would be wise to bring him back in 2024. Richardson may enter the season as the presumed starter again, but there's no guarantee he can remain healthy for an entire year. Few teams started the same quarterback all-17 games this season.
Minshew wasn't giving anything away following the Colts' loss to the Texans on Saturday. It could be his last game as a Colt. If it was his final game, he was thankful for Steichen and the Colts for helping to revive his career.
"Man, I couldn't be just more grateful for the opportunity," said Minshew on Saturday. "You know, first, with Shane, the faith to bring me here and to give me a chance, and the team kind of rallying around me. I couldn't be more grateful for this year and the guys in that locker room. It doesn't feel right that it ends this way, you know, but man, just really happy to be part of this group."
Minshew will likely have a chance to double his money again in 2024. Will it be with the Colts or with another team?
NFL Free Agency opens on March 13th. The Colts could come to an agreement with Minshew before then, but he's earned the opportunity to test the waters around the league this spring.
