INDIANAPOLIS – Colts owner Jim Irsay has not had to worry about the quarterback position for nearly 20 years, but is now on his second consecutive off-season without knowing who will be the starter in 2021.
“The type of team we have would give us the most benefit if we could have someone who can come and play at a high level, with an experienced vision,” Irsay said Wednesday.
The Colts have a young and talented roster led by linebacker Darius Leonard and security guard Quenton Nelson, but they have a significant void at the quarterback. Veteran Philip Rivers, 39, led the Colts to the playoffs for the second time since 2014, but he announced on January 20 that he was retiring after 17 seasons.
Rivers’ retirement means the Colts could have their fifth different starting quarterback from Week 1 in 2021, having basically had Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck from 1998 to 2019. Rookie Jacob Eason is the only quarterback currently under contract for the Colts. Jacoby Brissett, who started Week 1 in 2019, is scheduled to become a free agent.
Colts CEO Chris Ballard believes that a team isn’t all about the quarterback; it’s about having a complete schedule. But there has to be stability with the quarterback, because the four teams that made it to the NFC and AFC Championship Games – Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Buffalo – have all that.
“We are confident that we are close, that we have a huge core of players who can compete for the Super Bowl very soon,” said Irsay. “If you can get someone ready to leave this year, ideally that is your best chance.”
The Colts are expected to have about $ 69 million in salary cap, but it’s not quite a hot free agent market at quarterback, as players like Cam Newton and Jameis Winston emphasize that group. Ballard didn’t sound optimistic about drafting a quarterback to their current position, No. 21, in the first round.
The other option is the trading market, where Matthew Stafford of Detroit continues to be linked to the Colts as a possible destination.
Irsay acknowledged that the franchise, which suddenly retired in August 2019, would be happy to welcome back if he decides to resume his career. The two haven’t talked about a possible return, but the owner joked that he will keep checking his fax machine in case the quarterback decides to pull a page from Michael Jordan’s book by sending a message that simply says, ‘I ‘m back, “like Jordan after his first retirement from the Chicago Bulls.
“He knows how much we would like him to be our quarterback, there’s no question about that,” said Irsay. “But at the same time we know it will work, he has to be the one to say,” You know what? I am ready. I really want to create a bit of history, in unprecedented aspects. “
Irsay added, “I don’t know if we’ll see that. I think he is happy. He is raising his daughter. He has a great family. He’s a great Colt and he knows he can come back anytime he wants, at the same time we respect that he made that decision. “