The Indianapolis Colts are looking for a franchise quarterback.
Peyton Manning, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, served in this role for 14 seasons (1998-11). He accomplished several individual awards and brought the Colts a Super Bowl Championship in 2006. Manning is in the Colts’ Ring of Honor and his No. 18 has been retired. Indianapolis thought the same success would come with Andrew Luck as it took him at No. 1 overall in 2012.
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Luck showed potential as a four-time Pro Bowl selection and NFL passing touchdowns leader in 2014 (40), but injuries cut the Stanford alum’s career short. He retired after seven seasons (2012-18) in the pros. Indianapolis has used older quarterbacks, Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan, to try to return to prominence; however, neither worked. The Colts have the No. 4 overall pick in April’s draft. Jim Irsay, the team’s owner, is becoming interested in Bryce Young of Alabama football. Young became the Crimson Tide’s first signal-caller to win the Heisman Trophy in 2021. He projects as the top quarterback overall in this year’s draft class.
Looks like #Colts owner Jim Irsay let the cat out of the bag about the #Colts Draft plans.
“The Alabama guy doesn’t look bad, I’ll tell ya.”
The Colts currently pick at number 4. May need to move up if they want Bryce Young. pic.twitter.com/hY93tvznKk
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 14, 2023
Indianapolis will have to trade up if it wants Young.
If the Colts make the move, the AFC South will have two extremely talented quarterbacks, Young and Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars). Irsay knows how important it is to get the quarterback position right in today’s NFL.
It will be interesting to see what the Colts decide to do.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
