5 Bridge Quarterbacks Colts Could Target in Free Agency

The Indianapolis Colts could be in the market for a veteran quarterback until their rookie quarterback is ready to take over.

Andrew Moore | Feb 21, 2023

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The Indianapolis Colts made their first big decision of the offseason last week by hiring former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as their next head coach.

The next big decision the Colts will need to make is which rookie quarterback they want to take in the 2023 NFL Draft. With the No.4 overall pick, the Colts will take their next signal-caller with that selection. General manager Chris Ballard must nail this pick, as the future of the franchise rests on getting the quarterback position right.

However, even with the Colts taking a rookie quarterback high in the draft, Indy could be looking to add a veteran quarterback this offseason. Adding a veteran, or 'bridge," quarterback gives the Colts an option in case the rookie is not ready to play right away. The veteran quarterback could also take on the backup role and help mentor the rookie as he adjusts to the pro game.

Now I know what you're thinking: The Colts already have veterans Matt Ryan and Nick Foles on the roster. Why not just roll with them as mentors/bridge quarterbacks?

Both Ryan and Foles proved they were not the answer for the Colts last season, and neither is in the Colts' future plans. It is expected that both will be cut once the league year starts in March if they choose not to retire. Cutting Ryan and Foles creates an extra $19.3 million in cap space for the Colts.

So, with that in mind, here are five quarterbacks who the Colts could target as a bridge quarterback in free agency and their likelihood of signing in Indy.

Gardner Minshew - Philadelphia Eagles

The easiest connection to make for a bridge quarterback is Gardner Minshew. Minshew spent the last two seasons with the Eagles and Steichen as a backup to Jalen Hurts, filling in when Hurts was injured. In nine games over the past two seasons (four starts), Minshew has thrown for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions.

With the Eagles working on a massive, long-term deal for Hurts this offseason, Minshew could look elsewhere on the free-agent market for a spot to showcase his talents. Minshew knows Steichen's offensive system and could step right in as a backup or starter until the rookie is ready to play. The Colts might just have a QB on their roster nicknamed the "Jock Strap King" next season.

Jacoby Brissett - Cleveland Browns

After a couple of seasons away, could a Jacoby Brissett reunion with the Colts be on the horizon? After starting the entire 2019 season and serving as the backup to Philip Rivers in 2020, Brissett moved on to play for the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns as a spot starter for the past two seasons. Brissett has started 16 games since leaving the Colts, totaling 3,891 yards, 17 touchdowns, and ten interceptions.

With Deshaun Watson set as the starter in Cleveland, Brissett could opt to go to a team where he has a better chance of playing. We know the Colts' front office has an affinity for Brissett, but it is unclear whether Brissett would want to come back to play second fiddle, once again. While a reunion seems unlikely, it cannot be ruled out if Brissett is given the chance to start early in the season.

Teddy Bridgewater - Miami Dolphins

Teddy Bridgewater is a quarterback the Colts were thought to have had interest in before trading for Ryan. Instead, Bridgewater returned to his hometown of Miami to play for the Dolphins, backing up Tua Tagovailoa. Bridgewater appeared in five games last season (two starts), throwing for 683 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Bridgewater was happy to play for his hometown Dolphins and be a backup. However, he could be looking for an opportunity to jumpstart his career and prove he can still be a starter in the NFL. Bridgewater's skillset could succeed in Steichen's offense while also serving as a high-quality backup later in the season.

Sam Darnold - Carolina Panthers

Since being drafted by the New York Jets No.3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Sam Darnold has been a disappointment as a quarterback prospect. After being traded from the Jets to the Carolina Panthers in 2021, Darnold failed to prove he could be the answer at quarterback. In two seasons, Darnold started 17 games with the Panthers, racking up 3,670 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.

If Darnold does not return to the Panthers, he will not have many options on the open market. The Colts could be one of them if Darnold comes in as a backup and acts as more of a mentor while working on his game. While this is the least likely option out of the five quarterbacks mentioned, it cannot be ruled out as a possibility.

Andy Dalton - New Orleans Saints

The final quarterback who could serve as a bridge and mentor for a rookie is Andy Dalton. Dalton signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2022 to back up Jameis Winston. Instead, Dalton took over as the starter in Week 4 and held the job for the rest of the season. He finished the year with 2,871 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Although Dalton started the rest of the way for the Saints, he is a free agent this spring while Winston is still under contract. If the Saints want to move forward with Winston – or another free agent like Derek Carr – Dalton could be looking for his fifth different team in five seasons. At 35 years old, Dalton would be a great mentor to any rookie quarterback coming into the NFL and may be exactly what the Colts need as a veteran backup.

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Published Feb 21, 2023

ANDREW MOORE

Andrew Moore is the Senior Analyst for Horseshoe Huddle and an Indianapolis Colts expert. Andrew is also the co-host of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast and the former co-host of A Colts Podcast.