Who will be the Head Coach/QB combo in Indy?
By AUSTIN LAWTON
ISL Contributor
INDIANAPOLIS– The 2023 season for the Indianapolis Colts will be one to forget for the fan base and the franchise. The Colts finished with a 1-7 record to end the season, including being on the wrong end of the largest comeback in NFL history on December 17 against the Vikings. The team finished the season with a 4-12-1 record, the teams worst record since the 2017 season.
As the off-season rolls on, all eyes will continue to be on the Head Coach and quarterback positions. Fans and media alike are all split on who they want filling each spot.
Jeff Saturday took the mantle of interim coach just before the Week 10 game against the Raiders. Saturday’s tenure held mixed reactions from the fans and the notion of making Saturday the permanent hire has sparked negative reaction as well. After the tumultuous Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans, Saturday still held firm in that he would be the right man for the job.
“If I get this job, there is going to be significant change,” Saturday said. “The way I do things is not the way things necessarily have been done. I have my own way.”
Saturday continued: “Listen, I have a very clear vision how I can turn this football team around. I have a plan of attack, that I understand this is what I believe has to happen for us to turn a corner.”
The Head Coach search for team Owner Jim Irsay and General Manager Chris Ballard will be a long process. Despite the rumors of Ballard not returning after the conclusion of the season, he will be back and will also have a big say in the head coach search. Irsay will have the ultimate, final say in who gets hired.
The Colts have already conducted 10 interviews since January 11. The candidates include Colts special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, defensive coordinators Ejiro Evero, Raheem Morris, and Aaron Glenn have had interviews along with offensive coordinators, Eric Bieniemy, Ben Johnson, Shane Steichen, and Brian Callahan. Rich Bisaccia, Packers special teams coordinator, and former interim head coach, Jeff Saturday round out the confirmed interviews. Irsay has publicly stated that Saturday would always be part of the searching process.
“Head coach is unknown until the interview process goes forward. Jeff I believe is an outstanding candidate.” Irsay said in an ESPN interview.
The team also requested to interview Cowboys defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, who’s only head coaching experience came with the Falcons from 2015-2020. Quinn coached the Falcons in 2017 Super Bowl as well.
According to an IndyStar article by Scott Horner and betting odds from Action Network, Draft Kings, and The Sports Geek, Jim Harbaugh was the odds on favorite to get the gig. Harbaugh recently stated he would be returning to Michigan, though not everyone in the business is still 100% convinced. Johnson, Bieniemy, and Quinn all follow Harbaugh in odds. Some long shots for the job include Colts legends Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne, along with former Saints legend, Drew Brees, and the longest shot, Andrew Luck at +15000.
No matter who ends up getting the job, there is sure to be a mixed reaction regardless from fans around the Circle City. Many fans want the “next big thing”, while others want a proven coach who has been there, and done that.
The 2023 Draft will prove just as pivotal for the franchise. The Colts hold the number four pick and have the opportunity to draft one of the many talented quarterbacks in this year’s class. The likes of Bryce Young (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Anthony Richardson (Florida), Will Levis (Kentucky), and Hendon Hooker (Tennessee) are the five, highly ranked talents in this years draft. The likes of national champ, Stetson Bennett, TCU’s Max Duggan, and Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell will likely be late round picks and backups for many teams.
Rumors have ramped up that Indy will trade up to the number one overall pick, which is held by the Bears. In two different mock drafts from CBS Sports writers Josh Edwards and Ryan Wilson, both have the Colts trading up to number one and taking a quarterback. Edwards lists Young at the top pick and Wilson predicts that Indy will give up the No. 4, 36, 80, and a 2024 second round pick for the No. 1 pick. Wilson has Levis going first. Levis and Young seem to be the prime candidates for the Colts, with C.J. Stroud bringing up the podium. Irsay seems to be leaning to Levis and could be the right guy for the job.
Young beats Levis in every major statistical category, though obviously in completely different situations. Young threw for 32 touchdowns, almost double Levis, who had 19. Young’s 3,328 passing yards surpassed Levis’s 2,406, a difference of 922 yards. Young had half the amount of interceptions (5) than Levis (10). Young also served as Heisman finalist and is a Heisman winner. Stroud also served as a Heisman hopeful and threw for more touchdowns and yardage than Young. Stroud could join the likes of Justin Fields and the late Dwayne Haskins as highly touted quarterbacks to come from the Columbus powerhouse.
Stroud and Young have all the makings of players to develop into an elite talents and have the marketability and skill of No.1 overall quarterbacks. Levis could develop into a great NFL player as well and could prove to be a steal if played in the right system. With the right head coach behind them, a decent receiver room and an otherwise great offensive line, all have potential in Indy. The next few months will prove pivotal for the boys in blue and front office decisions could shape the future for the next few years, good or bad.
Who is your preferred Head Coach/Quarterback combo? It will be an interesting few months for Irsay and company.
