It seems the Indianapolis Colts are open to the idea of adding more veteran experience to their quarterback roster.
Rumblings about Indy fortifying its quarterback ranks have been going on for the past week.
The current list of serviceable free-agent quarterbacks is woefully thin, to say the least.
The Colts have not ruled out signing a vet quarterback. Asked about it today, w Nick Foles specifically mentioned in the query, coach Frank Reich said: "We're always looking at who makes this team better at every position. Who are the available veterans? Who can we still sign?"
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) May 13, 2022
However, there are some names worth mentioning – they can give Sam Ehlinger, James Morgan, and Jack Coan stiff competition for Matt Ryan‘s backup quarterback spot in 2022.
Let’s size up those veteran signal-callers who are worthy of wearing The Horseshoe this season.
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick
Chances are Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t want his nomadic, yet colorful 18-year NFL career ending the way it did in Washington last year.
Fitzpatrick underwent season-ending hip surgery in his lone season for the then-Washington Football Team.
The injury limited him to just one appearance in the nation’s capital.
Prior to that, Fitzpatrick held his own with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins.
He had 17 touchdown passes in just eight games for the Bucs in 2018.
Fitzpatrick had 33 touchdown passes during his two-year stint with the Dolphins in 2019 and 2020.
He even had a career-high 68.5 percent completion rate for Miami two years ago.
If Fitzpatrick is on pace to finish his recovery from hip surgery, the Colts should take a chance on him.
Even though Fitzpatrick will turn 40 years old in the fall, he still has a year or two left in his tank.
2. Nick Foles
Among the current crop of available free-agent veteran quarterbacks, Nick Foles is the best available.
Admittedly, Foles has never been the same since his incredible 27-touchdown season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013.
However, Foles has two advantages.
For one, he’s younger than Fitzpatrick by six years.
He still has a few good years left in him.
#Colts HC and former Bills QB Frank Reich returns to Buffalo to give @NickFoles the 2022 Call to Courage Award (outstanding character on and off the field). @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/FPthbca9Xq
— Brian Chojnacki (@BroadcastingBri) May 7, 2022
Second, Foles has a history with Colts head coach Frank Reich – the two helped the Eagles beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII four years ago.
Indy didn’t have much luck with Reich’s reunion with Carson Wentz last season.
Hopefully, a potential Foles and Reich reunion in Indy will work out just fine.
1. The Colts Will Hold Serve At QB in 2022
What about the Colts trading for Baker Mayfield?
That is a far-fetched possibility – although Mayfield expressed strong interest in signing with the Colts prior to the Matt Ryan acquisition, his brash and cocky attitude remains a major red flag.
Mayfield isn’t a good fit for the Horseshoe.
For its part, Indy’s best options at the backup veteran QB spot are Fitzpatrick and Foles.
Regardless of Colts GM Chris Ballard’s choice, Fitzpatrick or Foles add veteran savvy to the team’s young and inexperienced backup QB roster.
