Indianapolis Colts Show QB Value in Top 15 List

In a recent top 15 list featuring moves at quarterback, the Indianapolis Colts show some value at the position in potential anticipation of a rookie draft pick at signal caller.

The Indianapolis Colts indeed made some noise when they announced the signing of former Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew II last month.

This wasn’t too surprising considering that Minshew started twice in relief of the injured Jalen Hurts in Philly last season under former offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, who is now his head coach in Indianapolis.

Steichen mentioned Minshew by name in his introductory press conference as head coach of the Colts. The trust between the two makes perfect sense with the high potential that Steichen will need to mold a rookie field general.

Minshew could help with this transformation for a youngster that will have a lot to handle at the most challenging position in football with a team coming off of one of their worst seasons in recent memory.

Recently, CBS Sports’ own Cody Benjamin released the “15 Notable QB Moves from 2023 NFL Offseason” list. Where the Colts land isn’t the most surprising, but what they’re getting for the pickup is deeper in value than the surface shows.

Out of the 15, Minshew chalks in at number nine. In his entry, Benjamin says, “His uneven run replacing an injured Jalen Hurts reduced his price -- at least 11 different backups will make more in 2023. But he’s young (26), experienced (24 starts), and brings a ton of moxie to the QB room. His familiarity with new head coach Shane Steichen also makes him an ideal bridge to whichever rookie QB the Colts inevitably take early in the draft.”

As Benjamin points out well, Minshew is coming pretty cheap and with loads of experience at such a young age.

Details on Gardner Minshew’s contract with the Colts:

- 1-year deal, fully guaranteed $3.5 million
- Signing bonus: $1.75 million
- Base salary: $1.75 million
- Up to $2 million in incentives

— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) March 17, 2023

The $3.5 million isn’t much to ask for a backup QB that will have the responsibility Minshew will as a Colt. But, with his ties to the head man, it could be easier than some expect. He also has the leadership ability to easily segue into the mentor role if the potential rookie draftee needs to sit, then start.

It should be displayed proudly that he’s tough as nails and willing to accept any position on the team as long as it’s helping the unit as a whole. That selflessness is high-value stuff that the Colts simply missed from anyone in 2022.

Number nine fits well for Minshew on this list. Through a career of four years, he’s compiled 586-of-933 completions for 6,632 passing yards and a 44 touchdown to 15 interception ratio.

He’s a low-risk player who has guts and is willing to sacrifice to help the team. For anyone who is a Colts fan that wants a rookie quarterback, this signing is a good one for the future development of whomever that could be.

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