INDIANAPOLIS – The most important question of the Colts 2021 season isn’t a tangible result.
It isn’t ending a division drought—the longest for the franchise in nearly 30 years.
Or advancing in the month of January, with the Colts having won one playoff game in the last six years, the longest span for the franchise with just one playoff win in two decades.
The question the Colts must find the answer to this season is this:
Is Carson Wentz the definite future quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts?
This current injury situation for Wentz clouds the Colts getting clarity to that answer.
If Wentz misses a chunk of this season, the back end of the 12-week timetable would keep the quarterback off the field for around 5-to-7 games.
That would leave a quarterback, who has had a half dozen different injuries in the last six years (wrist, ribs, ACL back, concussion, foot), 10-12 games of evaluation for the Colts, assuming he stays healthy the rest of the way.
And it would be games with Wentz missing such valuable practice/preseason time.
If Wentz returns closer to the front end of that timeline, where he’s at physically could certainly hinder how he plays, plus the fact that he missed so many precious reps this time of year.
That’s the issue with this Wentz situation.
Not getting clarity on this question, the most important one for any NFL franchise, could stunt the growth of the Colts.
Yes, the 28-year-old Wentz is under contract through the 2024 season, with cap hits of $27 million, $25 million, $26 million coming up. If the Colts wanted, they could get out of Wentz’s contract following the 2022 season, with a dead cap hit of $20 million.
But more than anything, the Colts need to get to the Wentz answer as soon as possible.
Come January, if the Colts are saying ‘I can’t say for sure’ on Wentz, one way or the other, is not good for the franchise.
You have players in their prime years that need to see some quarterback continuity and belief in direction at the most important position in sports.
If Wentz doesn’t play enough in 2021 to truly evaluate him, or if the injuries impact his effectiveness, it would complicate how the Colts move forward.
Being in quarterback purgatory is awful for an NFL franchise.
Thinking you have the guy at that position, but not being sure, is such an awkward state of how you build around that player.
More than anything, the Colts need to find an answer to this question.
Now, six straight years of a different opening day starting quarterback from the previous year is not how you sustain success.
Good or bad, committing to an answer at quarterback come early 2022 would allow for Ballard to go down a specific path as roster building continues.
The Colts need that, to benefit from a young core still in its prime and with the contract books not too complicated.
