If the Indianapolis Colts wind up tearing things down after the 2026 season, quarterback could quickly become the biggest domino on the board.
Daniel Jones is in place for now, and he fits Shane Steichen’s offense well. But if Chris Ballard and Steichen are out and a new general manager takes over, that fit matters a lot less. A new regime would want its own quarterback, and Jones’ history with the New York Giants is a reminder that his ceiling can look different depending on the system around him.
That’s where the 2027 draft comes in. Indianapolis doesn’t currently own a first-round pick in that class, since it went to the New York Jets for Sauce Gardner. But if the Colts miss the playoffs and a reset begins, a new GM would have to chase that pick back - possibly by making a move involving Jonathan Taylor, who recently signed an extension, or even a sign-and-trade deal with Quenton Nelson.
Jones’ contract also gives the Colts some flexibility. If he is released after next season, Indianapolis would save $38 million. A trade would create the same savings, according to Over the Cap, though that route looks less likely because of how the deal is structured.
If all of that happens, these are four 2027 quarterback prospects that could make sense for the Colts.
Julian Sayin is the polished processor in the group. He’s listed at 6'1" and 210 pounds, which could turn some teams away, but his game is built on quick decisions and throwing on time.
He isn’t the biggest runner, and he doesn’t have the strongest arm in the class, but his football IQ stands out. That kind of quarterback can work in just about any offense.
CJ Bailey brings a different look. At 6'6" and 215 pounds, he has the frame and arm strength that jump out right away, even if he’s still a little thin for that size.
He doesn’t have the same talent around him that Sayin does at Ohio State, but there’s a real question about what Bailey could do with more help. He looks ready enough to start early, take rookie lumps, and keep improving as the season goes on.
Trinidad Chambliss is the wild card who could climb fast. At 6 feet and 200 pounds, size is the obvious concern, and NFL punishment will be the test.
Still, he brings high-end athleticism and solid arm strength, and the Colts’ strong offensive line would help cover for some of those concerns. He’ll also have to prove he can do it again at the highest level of college without the guidance of Lane Kiffin, who left to work at LSU.
CJ Carr has traits that sound awfully familiar next to Jones. He can push the ball deep, but he’s at his best when he stays patient and takes what the defense allows underneath.
He can put the ball anywhere on the field with accuracy, and he plays with a little more fire than Jones does. Carr also has a strong reputation for winning close games, and that competitive edge shows up in the way he leads.
In Other News...
Colts Make An Early QB Call That Will Shape This Season
Anthony Richardson Sr. will begin the 2026 season as the backup quarterback, a decision Colts head coach Shane Steichen said was driven by what he saw during the preseason. It is an early but meaningful call for a team trying to settle its depth chart before the games start counting, and it gives Indianapolis a clearer picture of how it wants to structure the quarterback room heading into Week 1.
The rest of the roster picture is starting to come into focus, too. Keenan Allen is expected to be available for the opener despite a recent legal matter, Alec Pierce was a full participant in practice after dealing with an ankle/heel injury, and the Colts also revealed their five captains for the season. Even with those pieces in place, the team is still working through injury updates elsewhere, which means the final version of this roster may not be fully known just yet. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Richardsons Colts Future Just Took A Surprising Turn
The Colts quarterback picture settled in a way not many around the team saw coming, with Anthony Richardson Sr. listed as the backup behind starter Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard set as the emergency third quarterback. After a competitive offseason and training camp battle involving Richardson and Leonard, Indianapolis made its call and, for now, Richardson stays in the fold as the next man up.
Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard both confirmed the team is keeping Richardson on the roster despite his earlier trade request, a sign the Colts are still trying to balance development, depth and the short-term demands of the position. It leaves one of the franchises biggest recent draft investments in a very different spot than expected, but also keeps open the possibility that his role could matter again sooner than later. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Practice Collision Changed Two Careers In One Brutal Moment
A routine August practice at Grand Park turned ugly in a hurry when the Colts were giving reserve players live reps and safety Trey Washington came in with an illegal hip-drop tackle on running back Salvon Ahmed. Ahmed came away with a severe right ankle injury that ended his season, a harsh reminder that even controlled drills can carry real consequences when speed and instinct take over.
Washington later said the move was instinctive and not dirty, and Ahmed has since forgiven him, but the moment still sits as one of those practice-field collisions that changes the arc of more than one career. For Ahmed, it was the end of a season he never got to finish. For Washington, it became part of the backdrop to his own rise, with his NFL debut arriving in October. [Read more 🡒]