The Indianapolis Colts are staring down a quarterback crisis-and there’s no easy fix.
Daniel Jones is done for the year after suffering a ruptured Achilles during the Week 14 loss to the Jaguars, and with Anthony Richardson still on injured reserve and no clear timeline for his return, the Colts are left with few viable options under center. Rookie Riley Leonard struggled when called upon, and veteran Brett Rypien remains on the practice squad. That’s not exactly a quarterback room built to weather the final month of a playoff push.
If Indianapolis wants to keep its season alive, the front office needs to act-and fast. One name that should be at the top of their list: Taylor Heinicke.
Heinicke, 32, has been waiting in the wings since being cut by the Chargers this past offseason in favor of Trey Lance. He hasn’t signed with another team since, but his experience and track record make him a compelling option for a Colts squad in desperate need of stability.
Over the course of his career, Heinicke has made 29 starts and won 13 of them. Most recently, he started four games for the Falcons in 2023, posting modest numbers: 54.4% completion rate, 890 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions. Not eye-popping, but certainly serviceable given the circumstances.
Where Heinicke really made his mark was during his time with the Washington Commanders. In three seasons there, he started 24 games, going 12-11-1.
He completed 64% of his passes for 5,415 yards and a 33-to-21 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His 2021 campaign stands out in particular-3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns, and a 65% completion rate.
That kind of production doesn’t just happen by accident. Heinicke’s not a franchise savior, but he’s a gamer-someone who can step in, compete, and give his team a fighting chance.
And that’s exactly what the Colts need right now: a fighting chance.
Leonard may have upside down the line, and Rypien has seen the field in spurts, but neither has shown the consistency or command to lead a team through the final stretch of a playoff race. Heinicke, at the very least, brings experience, poise, and the ability to run an offense without it completely stalling out.
There’s no guarantee he’ll be able to turn things around in Indianapolis. But with four games left and the season hanging in the balance, the Colts don’t need a miracle-they need competence.
Heinicke offers that. He knows how to manage a game, he’s not afraid to take shots when needed, and he’s been in high-pressure situations before.
If the Colts want to stay in the postseason conversation, the move is clear: sign Heinicke, get him up to speed, and give him a shot to take the reins as early as Week 15.
It’s not a perfect solution-but it’s the best one they’ve got.