Quick. What’s the most important position in football? Yep, you got it if you answered quarterback, and if you answered anything other than that, you’re just a contrarian. They make the most money because they are so vital to a team’s success. The straw that stirs the drink touches the ball almost every offensive snap and controls so much. Looking at the AFC playoffs this year shows just how wrong the Indianapolis Colts have gotten it.
Take a look at the field. Only one team had a quarterback that wasn’t drafted by their team. Of the two remaining, the Broncos and Patriots both drafted their guy two years ago. Understanding Bo Nix is out, these quarterbacks lead the charge for a turnaround in short order. From Stroud and Lawrence, to Allen and Herbert, they are all homegrown.
The Colts under Chris Ballard have opted for the retread; the veteran who has been around awhile. Sometimes that works. Look at Philip Rivers’ first go. He was very good. Aaron Rodgers is the sole exception to the rule this year, but they didn’t get very far. When the Colts did have an opportunity to draft their guy, they missed. Drafting Anthony Richardson fourth overall appears to be an incredible whiff. After a season’s worth of snaps, the Colts traded him in for someone else. The rest of the league understands the importance of getting that spot right because it is the true driver of success. The Colts understand that too. One has to wonder at this point, however, if the group in charge is capable of getting it done.
The Colts enter another season of questions at the one position you can’t have question marks at if you are going to be successful. If Daniel Jones can’t start the season, the Colts might have to turn back to one of their bigger draft mistakes, if he can even play due to the eye injury he sustained. If not, Riley Leonard might be the guy. Whomever they choose, they have to start getting it right. When the time comes, they cannot miss in the draft again because the rest of the AFC isn’t sitting around, waiting for them to get it right.
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