Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz is out recovering from foot surgery.
His timetable for return is wide open, somewhere between five and 12 weeks.
While there have been indications that head coach Frank Reich would likely lean on second-year player Jacob Eason to fill the starting spot, let’s take a look around the league and see what veteran quarterbacks are available to step in for Wentz if needed.
Here are three options.
3. Blake Bortles
Blake Bortles feet are prefectly fine @colts
— PFTCommenter (@PFTCommenter) August 2, 2021
Blake Bortles is currently unemployed.
The Green Bay Packers signed him at the end of May when they feared Aaron Rodgers was not coming back, but he was swiftly released on July 27 when Rodgers showed up at camp.
Bortles is 29 years old and spent the majority of his career at Jacksonville.
In six NFL seasons, he has thrown for over 17,600 yards.
Bortles threw 103 touchdowns and 75 interceptions.
2. Nick Foles
Oh, the irony of it all.
Nick Foles, after backing up Wentz in Philadelphia and leading the Eagles to their Super Bowl victory in 2018, is low on the depth chart in Chicago.
Between Andy Dalton and rookie Justin Fields, Foles could be someone the Colts would trade for.
Foles would reunite with Reich who was the offensive coordinator of the Eagles for their Super Bowl season.
How would Wentz feel about Foles stepping in his shoes as a starting quarterback?
It is likely that would not go over well, but as we all known, football is a business.
The Colts have a good offensive line and a team with plenty of playoff potential.
Foles could be the missing piece in Wentz’s absence.
A fired up Nick Foles talks about Frank Reich, Carson Wentz, what he wants in a trade, and more.
Foles: "The version of me right now is much better than the version that played in the Super Bowl … Put that through your mind."
This is worth the watch…pic.twitter.com/zVpsluax2l
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 2, 2021
1. Jacoby Brissett
Jacoby Brissett: Officially 🔥ON FIRE🔥
His best plays from a 326-yard, 4 TD performance! @jbrissett12@Colts | #Colts pic.twitter.com/Jm9cdJiGur
— NFL (@NFL) October 21, 2019
The most obvious choice is Jacoby Brissett who was Philip Rivers‘ backup in Indianapolis last season.
Brissett was the starting quarterback for the Colts during the 2019 season after Andrew Luck‘s immediate and unexpected retirement during the 2019 preseason.
He is now the backup quarterback for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
Brissett started his career in New England in 2016 but was traded to the Colts for the 2017 season.
He has played in 49 career games, starting in 32 of them.
Brissett, in his career, has thrown 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
He has also rushed for 12 touchdowns and gained 500 yards carrying the ball.
Brissett knows the offense and can step in immediately.
Back in March 2019, Reich spoke highly of Brissett sharing what he told GM Chris Ballard.
“I said it last year: I think he’s a top-20 quarterback. I still say that. After watching him for a year, this guy’s really good. I tell Chris all the time, ‘Please don’t let him go. I don’t care what anybody offers him. Don’t let him go.”
Conclusion
There are five weeks left in the preseason.
Wentz’s timeline for return is between five and 12 weeks.
The Colts may try to bide their time and see how quickly Wentz recovers.
However, it is a foot injury so that’s a tough one to predict.
Any of these three players could jump into Reich’s offense and be ready to play.
