INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts’ intention to select a quarterback in the first round on Thursday of the NFL Draft (8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, and the ESPN App) is among the league’s best-kept secrets.
Both private and public, it has been the main topic of discussion for many months, from owner Jim Irsay onwards. Meanwhile, the team’s fans continue to fret over Indy’s upcoming fourth overall pick, eagerly awaiting a potential solution to the lingering quarterback problem.
Less clear, however, is which quarterback the Colts deem the best. At some point in recent months, reports have tied Indianapolis with each of the top four quarterbacks in this draft: Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s CJ Stroudand Anthony Richardson from Florida and Kentucky Will Levis.
Good luck installing them, because it looks like they’re still working through the resolution.
“People think…the decision that’s been made, or the decision-makers don’t tell anyone,” Irsay told ESPN Monday. “It’s often not true. Honestly, that’s a lot of intrigue and a lot of discussion [as I’ve seen]. You have four guys and they all deserve to be the first pick in the draft. Which of the four do you take in [No.] 1, people can’t criticize anyone for that.
“I’m not equivocating. To be honest. Really, we’re still discussing what our options are.”
General manager Chris Ballard said, “I always love reading reports that the Colts love this guy, they love this guy and they get called on this guy. Like, who came over? It didn’t come from me.”
This is perhaps the biggest reason why the Colts’ favorite quarterback style is so difficult to handicap: Because there isn’t one.
The Colts, led by first-year head coach Shane Steichen, took an especially open-minded approach to scouting this year’s quarterback. the reason? Because Steichen’s offensive ability allows them to do so.
“I think you fit the system around the player who plays,” Steichen said.
This was a game-changer for the organization as it began making one of its biggest selections in years. The Colts feel they are not beholden to a specific quarterback profile they are looking for because their offensive philosophy is flexible.
“It broadens the field for you,” Ballard said. “That’s good. And I think we went through the process of all the evaluations, coming down to what we think is going to be best for the Indianapolis Colts, whoever we take in the end is going to be that guy and [Steichen] It will make it work.”
The Colts aren’t talking about making minor adjustments to their quarterback basis. Instead, they seem to suggest that the specific midfielder will largely dictate their attacking style.
“It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is,” Ballard said. “You’re going to build a different attack for Peyton Manning [than] You will create it for Michael Vick. It will just be different. I think it’s about who you think you can build the attack around the best and win games.”
Steichen was light on details when asked about the specifics of the offensive scheme he’s nailing. But what is clear is that the Colts place a huge amount of faith in his ability to help their eventual rookie quarterback succeed.
“His plan will allow us to choose a midfielder with some flaws because he will build the attack around their strengths and deal with the flaws,” said a team source.
This is a departure from the past. Although former coach Frank Reich was seen as the mentor of an elite quarterback, he had a more specific profile of the ideal quarterback that placed some limitations on the staff. One example: Because the Reich system had a high level of complexity, the processing power of the haves was crucial. This may be part of what makes Young attractive to Reich’s new team, the Carolina Panthers. Carolina is widely expected to use first overall choice to select Young, who is seen as an outstanding handler.
With Steichen at the center of all of this, he would greatly influence which quarterback the Colts choose.
“Obviously Shane has to say, ‘Okay,’” Irsay said. “Chris and I respect that, and Shane will have a huge say.”
Steichen is closely associated with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, serving as the team’s offensive coordinator for the past two seasons. Granted, the coach and quarterback have had great success together, with Hurts having a great season in 2022 and advancing the Eagles to the Super Bowl.
It hurts being a dual threat quarterback who has rushed for 1,544 yards the past two seasons under Steichen, it is often assumed that Steichen prefers targeting quarterbacks with a similar skill set. Think Richardson more than Stroud.
But this version is only part of Steichen’s story. He overlooked his two seasons as the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator, whose quarterbacks were Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert. Rivers and Herbert are both more classic wingbacks, meaning Steichen had to use a different approach with them under center than with Hurts.
To that end, Steichen was recently asked if he would prefer a quarterback with the ability to move. He quickly downplayed the importance.
He said, “Not necessarily.” Quarterbacks come in all shapes and sizes and have different athletic abilities, be it running or throwing. Do [mobility] add to it? Yes…but there are also completely private, pocket passers-by who are some of the best people ever to do it, [like] Peyton and Tom Brady. Is it an added bonus when they can run? Yes. But it’s not the end, be all.”
It was quite a vague answer, like most of what we’ve heard about the Colts’ quarterback preferences this spring.
Bottom line: The Colts are looking for the best quarterback—not the best quarterback on their own offense.
“You have to do a great job of putting these guys in a position to maximize their potential so they can shine on Sunday,” said Steichen. “That’s our job as coaches, to find out…and put them in a position to play.”