Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Examining the five most realistic QB options remaining for Indianapolis Colts

Episode Date: March 18, 2022

On today's episode, Evan goes over the latest news revolving around the Indianapolis Colts' search for a starting quarterback. Who makes sense as everyone remains in a holding pattern with Deshaun Watson's decision? Five names stand out the most for Indy's realistic options.Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Jimmy Garoppolo, Baker Mayfield, and Matt Ryan all go under the microscope from a Colts perspective. How would each QB fit in Indy? Which one helps improve the team most next season?It's very likely one of these options will be Indy's QB1 next season, so this is a must-listen episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello everyone, welcome into your latest episode of Locked on Colts. I am your host Evan Sidery, joined today again by Landon Oliver. You can go ahead and follow Landon on Twitter if you haven't already at Landon289. He was on the show earlier this week to talk through the Colts offseason so far. He is back to go over the QB dominoes. There has been no moves today really in the NFL as Deshaun Watson is holding up the entire NFL market at this point.

Landon deciding now between the Falcons and the Saints and wherever Deshaun Watson decides to go between those two teams will have a huge domino effect over the entire NFL, including Indianapolis Colts, who seem to be waiting here on that Watson domino. Landon, how you doing tonight? Doing well, Evan. Thanks for having me on again. Just, you know, really excited to hop on here and kind of go over some quarterbacks with everybody and what we, you know, what me and you think of how this is going to play out and what we like

and what we don't like about maybe some of the possible moves. Yeah, we have five names written down here. I covered it last night with our good friend of the show, Steven, and we went through the five names

who would be the most realistic options. Now, it really would have been four if not for today affirming the news we heard yesterday about Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield officially requested a trade today. The Browns are playing hardball, refusing to really accept his offer there. So that could get ugly down the road between Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns. We'll talk about Baker later in the show, Landon, but we have five quarterback names I want to go over today, a little bit in depth about how they

would fit with the Colts. And it feels like however this Watson domino shakes out is going to have an impact on who the Colts get a quarterback feels like however this Watson domino shakes out is going to have an impact on who the Colts get a quarterback here. And those five names are as follows. It is Baker Mayfield, Matt Ryan, Jimmy Garoppolo, all you acquire via trade, or you go out and sign a free agent like Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston. So Landon, we're going to start off with the free agents here on the list.

And the first one I want to go with, because it's the latest rumor we've heard today, and it was our first no connection, at least from the Colts side, to this quarterback. And it is Jameis Winston, the New Orleans Saints quarterback last year before he tore his ACL. He was having a really strong year for the Saints as far as coming back because turnovers,

playing really efficient game manager football for New Orleans before he tore that knee. According to Justina Anderson of USA Today, the Colts had been in contact with Jameis Winston throughout the free agency process. He has an offer on the table as well from the Saints. And it's not that it's just those teams. It's just the Colts and the Saints and on Jameis Winston landing.

And Deshaun Watson domino there could have a direct impact on the Colts if they really are interested in Jameis Winston. If Deshaun Watson chooses the Saints, that feels like the most likely a domino to fall right now. Yeah, and it's kind of funny. You mentioned Mariota and Jameis in the same free agency and their possible fit with the Colts. And I mean, this is almost kind of the same debate

that we had back when they were going first and second over on the draft. So it's funny to see those two guys tied up again with each other. But as far as Jameis Winston goes, I mean, so for me, he would probably be my least favorite. I've never been big on Jameis Winston goes, I mean, so for me, he would probably be my least favorite. I've never been big on Jameis just because I have some questions with some of the decision-making.

Now, it does seem that Sean Payton, you know, really did a fantastic job with him as opposed to, you know, the last time we saw him in Tampa, you know, with the 30 interceptions. I mean, he's a guy that's going to, you know, he can throw 30 touchdowns, but he can throw 30 interceptions. So he seems to be less volatile than he was. And I don't know if that's due to coaching or, you know, just work, but he is also coming off of an injury. So, I mean, that's also kind of concerning as well, as far as his mobility, it's not as serious as an injury, you know, as it was 10 years ago. But, you know, I do think he could do some really good things in this offense. He is

mobile, you know, as long as he has recovered from that knee, I do think he does offer a little bit of mobility. He's not just a complete statue in the pocket. And the guy's got just a cannon for an arm. I mean, he's got a huge arm. I just don't see him fitting as far as, you know, being making the layups because it seems like for him it's more about going for the big play kind of similar as it was with Wentz and you know I don't know how much of that was coached out because we only got to see him at a limited time last year for the Saints so you don't really want to base an entire quarterback's evaluation off of you know seven games of tape because you have the whole rest of the season off of, you know, seven games of tape because you have

the whole rest of the season to see if, you know, that seven games is a mirage or not. But, you know, he's a guy that's competitive. He's passionate. He's, you know, well thought of in locker rooms. I mean, we've seen some of the locker room speeches he's given with him eating the W's and all that kind of stuff. And it's kind of silly, but I mean, guys gravitate towards guys like that. He's got a good personality and, and you know it seems like he's kind of past the character issues that he had there in college at Florida State so I could see it being a good fit especially if it's for a decent deal and you know it's for you know a couple years just to kind of see what you have. Yeah Jameis Winston former number one pick in that draft with Marcus Merida like you mentioned there Landon and Jameis

Winston's numbers last year before he got hurt in seven games, 59 completion percentage, so really below average there as far as accuracy goes. He had 14 touchdowns compared to only three interceptions. He had that five-touchdown game, I believe, against the Jaguars early on in the season, so that inflated Jameis' numbers a little bit. What's your thoughts on Jameis if the Colts do decide to go in that direction? It feels like it's unlikely at this point they would go with Jameis because like you mentioned Landon it's almost the same thing as a Wentz and that's why I feel like Baker Mayfield might be a little unrealistic too thinking more

about it because they want to go away from that type of mold of a quarterback where it's very volatile and risk aggressive as far as that goes but you see just the overall fit between Jameis if the Colts indeed are interested here Landon what were your thoughts on Jameis. If the Colts indeed are interested here, Landon, what were your thoughts on Jameis and Indy? Well, like I said, he is 10 to volatile. So when we look at the stats, the 14 touchdowns, the three interceptions, it's almost kind of the same thing that we talk about with Carson Wentz, where we say, you don't scout the box sheet or the box score, where you have to actually go look at the film. And he was below 60% completion percentage, which I know that's not what Frank Wright looks for. And then also on score where you have to actually go look at the film and you know he was below 60 completion percentage which i know that's not what frank wright you know looks for and then also on top

of that he was only averaging about 150 yards a game during that stretch so it's almost is very similar to whence where we saw wentz wasn't averaging a lot of yards wasn't very accurate but he had a really good touchdown to interception ratio so So, you know, it almost offers you the same thing where I don't think he's as mobile as Wentz, especially with the knee injury, and we'll see how he recovers from that. But, you know, he's going to give you the flashy plays. He can give you, you know, the deep throw down the field. You know, he's got all the tools,

which is why he was drafted number one overall to begin with. But it's just, you know, for me, I don't necessarily see it as a good fit for the offense. I think they're looking more for somebody that, you know, can read defenses quickly, get the ball out in rhythm, yards after catch, you know, good completion percentage is accurate. And I just don't know if he's that guy. Let's go to Marcus Mariota now, Wyndon,

and that's the number two overall pick from the same draft, plus the Jameis Winston. He feels like he could be a fallback option here if really all else fails because Mariota's market really is being held up by Winston, and that could have a domino effect. We've heard the Colts have been interested for a while, Landon. What's your overall opinion of Mariota in this offense? Because I'm kind of intrigued by the thought of kind of running an RPO-heavy zone read type of system where you take advantage of Mariota's legs. He could run for probably 30 or 40 yards per game alongside Jonathan Taylor with defense really biting on that read.

And then JT could be able to open up more holes for the guy like Marietta too. He doesn't take a lot of risks. So he's kind of the opposite of Carson Wentz, but he plays very smart football. It's not really a guy though, that's going to bring you a lot of upside to QB position lane. And so what's your thoughts here on Mariota to Indy?

Because it feels like that's probably one of the most least likely options now, in my opinion, because the longer the Colts wait, it feels like they truly are waiting on the domino for Watson, what team he ends up there. What's your opinion, though, of Mariota's potential option for the Colts? Yeah, so he's a guy that is almost kind of the opposite end of the spectrum, where he's a guy that looks to run first as opposed to stay in the pocket and pass and I think he does have really good pocket awareness where he can

cause guys to miss I think you need a really strong interior line as opposed to tackles because of that mobility you know he doesn't do well with pressure up the middle like most quarterbacks but I do think you know if guys get beat on the edge I think's able to escape. And that's really what he looks to do. He's really one of those guys that, you know, if his first read isn't there, if his, you know, he very rarely gets to his third or fourth read. So he sees his first read. Occasionally he'll look at the second read, but if that's not there, he just takes off.

So that worries me a little bit. His completion percentages in the past worry me a little bit. It does seem like, you know, some of the injuries with his arm and shoulder that he had down in Tennessee from, you know, that's another thing with him is he does run a lot. But as we've seen in the past, especially in Tennessee, he hasn't been very durable. He takes a lot of big hits and unnecessary risks in the run game. So you need to have a strong backup in place if you get a guy like that. So that's where I think you would look

at getting a rookie or you know maybe having Sam Ellinger develop you know possibly we'll see what happens with that but yeah I mean it is intriguing because it does bring a way different dynamic to the offense where you're looking at you know very heavy screen game very RPO heavy he does make pretty decent decisions as well and And he does have a really good, you know, a quick release. He can get the ball out quickly. And, you know, if that first or second read is open, he can hit the guys in stride. But that's what I'm, I guess I'm trying to say is like, he worries me from the aspect of he doesn't get through all of his reads,

you know, very often. And with a guy that's as brittle as he has been in his career, I just think if you're going that route, you need a very, very strong backup option. Yeah, for sure. And I think with Mariota, the upside is they are in the same way of Jameis Winston. But I think the main idea with these two guys who are on the free agent market right now,

I think, honestly, Jameis probably ends up in New Orleans if Deshaun Watson goes to the Falcons. If he doesn't, I can see him coming to the Colts, but I think it's still very unlikely just based off scheme fit alone. Maybe it's just what the Colts are left with, and they just do a one-year deal with Jameis. But either way, with Winston or Marietta Landon, I think if they go with either of these two options, I think the likelihood they'd trade up for a quarterback in this year's draft would go super high in your opinion, right? Yeah, especially. I think it would be less likely with Winston. I think they would give him a year and maybe look next year because, I mean, they're both relatively still

young guys where I think with Mariota, you would have a higher likelihood of a rookie because he is, you know, by all accounts, he is very strong in the locker room. The way he handled the Tannehill situation in Tennessee is very highly regarded around the league. And, you know, he was there every step of the way and probably Ryan Tannehill's biggest cheerleader in the organization from a guy that was taking his job. So he's been on record saying that he would be welcome to show the, you know, show a rookie the ropes. He would, he's more than welcome to step into that situation as a locker room leader, as a guy that you could possibly

learn from if you're a rookie quarterback. And that's a big thing if they do decide to go that route. It's that time of year again, Colts fans. College basketball March Madness is finally upon us. We've already seen upsets today. We saw Kentucky go down to the Peacocks in Indianapolis. So make sure you're following all the latest odds, contests, and player props at betonline.net, your number one source for your sports betting needs and info. BetOnline remains the best spot for your sports scores, podcasts, and news this season. It's not just basketball. BetOnline is your continued source for your sporting wagering information needs,

including live betting and your favorite Vegas casino games. Head to the website today or use a mobile device to learn more about the trends and action. BetOnline, where the game starts. Let's move on now to the final three names of the show, and it's all via trade would be all these options. Even Jimmy Garoppolo, I feel like at this point, you'd probably still throw like a day three pick his way, and that's the guy I want to bring up now is Jimmy Garoppolo.

We've covered a lot of the show, Landon, over the last month after the season ended the way it did for the Colts. He feels like the most realistic option for the Colts at this point, unless we see what happens with this Matt Ryan situation now percolating in Atlanta with Deshaun Watson. But what's your opinion on Jimmy Garoppolo? Because I made my thoughts known on the show, Lane. I think he's just a very steady quarterback to have.

He'll make some boneheaded mistakes here and there, but I think you can rely on him to be less volatile than Carson Wentz. And I think if you have a less volatile quarterback, I don't see how Jimmy Garoppolo plays the way he does the last two games of the year like Carson Wentz did. He just feels like a more steadier presence and a guy that's not going to win you games, but he's certainly not going to lose you games, so to say. I feel like if Garoppolo was under center for the Colts last year in the AFC

Southland, I think they might have won that division. Yeah, I agree. I don't know if they would have won the division per se because I think Tennessee had just such an unbelievable year for them. But I definitely think they would have been in the wild him. They don't want to disappoint him. And we're almost in a similar situation like San Francisco was a few years ago. They're 0-8. They're trotting out C.J. Beathard. They go and make the move for Garoppolo.

They reel off five straight wins. And he's brought stability to that organization ever since he's taken over there. And I think the fans and the media's view of Jimmy Garoppolo is so different than how NFL people view Jimmy Garoppolo. I don't think they think that's a guy that is going to take you over the top, like he's not going to be a top 10 quarterback. He might not even really be a top 15 quarterback if we're really thinking about it. But he's a guy that can come in, will run run your offense, we'll get your offense into the right checks. That was

a super underrated thing of what he did in San Francisco for them was he always got them into the correct play. And that's something that really gets overlooked because it doesn't show up on the stat sheet. And I think that's what the Colts were missing last year is a guy that was just willing to run the offense efficiently, get them into the right looks, take what the defense gives you. You know, he'd be willing to use Jonathan Taylor and Naheem Hines. He'd be willing to dump it off. He's not going to force the ball necessarily into, you know, quadruple coverage to Michael Pittman. And he is a little more mobile than what people give him credit for.

I don't think he's just a statue. And whenever we say that, we always think of Philip Rivers, you know, the last year he was here where there was almost no mobility, especially with a toe injury. But I don't, he's more mobile than that. So he can get out and make some moves. And he has familiarity running like an RPO type system that Frank Reich likes to run because it's almost kind of similar to what Kyle Shanahan ran. Yeah, it's a really valid point there about Garoppolo. I feel like it's going to be a very efficient, easy transition. I know it's a different playbook, a different coordinator, a different coach in Indy, but he feels like a guy to me,

even if he does miss a little bit of time in the office and due to his shoulder surgery, he will step right in at training camp and really lead an efficient Colts offense. Because last year, Garoppolo completed 68% of his pass. He only threw 20 touchdowns. He threw for almost 4,000 yards in 15 games. His interception mark was higher than Carson Wentz. Like I mentioned, Garoppolo is prone to some mistakes sometimes.

But he's just way less volatile than a Carson Wentz to me, Landon. And I think you agree with your assessment as well. But as far as compensation goes with really two of the 49ers now are waiting out the market at quarterback, as everyone else is, with Des two of the 49ers now are waiting out the market at quarterback as everyone else is with Deshaun Watson his decision between the Falcons and Saints Landon I think honestly for Jimmy Garoppolo the Colts can sit here be patient and wait and maybe get him for a fifth or sixth round pick at the most at this point yeah well so here's what I think we did for a little bit on that I think early on that statement

would have been correct before this Deshaun Watson fiasco has kind of happened with, you know, Atlanta and Cleveland, especially Cleveland. Cleveland's a team to watch out for, for Jimmy Garoppolo. The Panthers are now out on Deshaun Watson officially. So that's a team to watch out for Jimmy Garoppolo. So I think he has a bigger market than what he did, you know, even four or five days ago.

You know, before all these teams that we didn't really expect. I mean, we expected Carolina to go there, but I don't think anybody expected Atlanta to be in the running and they didn't expect Cleveland to be in the running. Those two teams kind of came out of nowhere. And it looks from the outside looking in that the Cleveland situation, you know, they say they're not going to trade him, but it looks like that relationship is fractured beyond repair. I don't see how there's any way they don't move forward from Baker Mayfield, even if he doesn't get shipped to Indy. I just don't see how you return from that. And Jimmy Garoppolo is a name that's really been floated around as a guy

that could come in and give them, you know, they say they wanted an adult in the room when it comes to Baker Mayfield. Well, Jimmy Garoppolo is a guy that he say they wanted an adult in the room when it comes to Baker Mayfield. Well, Jimmy Garoppolo is a guy that is most definitely an adult in the room, you know, whatever that means, you know, to you. But so, yeah, I don't necessarily think it's going to be, you know, I don't think you're giving up a first or second, but I think it possibly could get as high as a third because you're going to have two or three teams now

that missed out on Deshaun Watson that they're going to be interested in a guy like that. Yeah, it feels like Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo could be the next QBs on the move here. Maybe even Matt Ryan as well, depending on what Deshaun Watson decides between Atlanta and New Orleans. But let's move on here to our next QB on the list here. And it is Baker Mayfield we just spoke about who actually requested a trade today from the Cleveland Browns after they disrespected him with the Deshaun Watson situation like you mentioned Landon I think it's fractured beyond repair as well reportedly we heard again today it was reaffirmed by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Mayfield's preferred destination is the Indianapolis

Colts if he's traded Seattle's also been mentioned as a team to look out for for Baker Mayfield yeah that relationship I think is super fractured at team to look out for for Baker Mayfield. Yeah, that relationship I think is super fractured at this point. I don't blame Baker Mayfield either. You go out, you play on a bump shoulder all year long. And then at this point, you go and flirt with another quarterback, you don't get him. And you pretty much tell him that you're a lame duck quarterback next season on the last year's contract. So Landon, what's your opinion here at Baker Mayfield? It kind of feels like to me, maybe the same thing as Carson Wentz, but honestly, as far as this upside goes and the youth element to it,

he's only 26 years old, turns 27 in a few weeks. A one-year flyer on Baker Mayfield for less than $20 million, maybe if it costs even a third round pick, I feel like it's worth the risk because I mean, if he does hit, he's your guy. Yeah, and you know, the upside to me, when I look at Baker Mayfield,

he still has some of the same issues that he had coming out of Oklahoma as far as you know his accuracy and his footwork and you know some of the stuff he gets he can get himself into bad situations a little bit and he did have a strong roster there in Cleveland but when you look at last year to me after that week two I believe it was week two he tore his labrum and he played on it the rest of the season, which I thought was, you know, that team, the team should have never let him out here. And, you know, it's almost kind of similar to, you know, a guy that we won't really name, but Colts fans should be very familiar with that type of an injury. And to have a quarterback out there throwing the ball with that type of an injury, that is a massive detriment to his growth, even in the season and for the future.

Now, apparently, surgery went well. He should be good to go in a few months. I don't think he's going to miss much time. He might even be able to be doing a little bit of throwing at OTAs if they do decide to make it there. But he is more volatile than a lot of the quarterbacks out there. But if you go back and look at his 2020 tape, which whenever he was healthy, he put together a really solid season. He's extremely mobile. He's got a massive arm. He's a guy that competes at a very, very high level.

He is an extremely, extremely emotional type of a guy where, you know, he wears his emotions on a sleeve. And some of that is a good thing. Some of that is a bad thing. I don't know if the Colts necessarily would be interested because I think there's, they're looking for more of a steady presence as opposed to somebody that can go either way. know like you said i very i compare him i believe i saw a comparison earlier and it it really fit really well for him was he's like case keenum with a bigger arm um and that really is you know where i view him at but um i believe the upside is there and especially in frank re's offense. Say what you want, you know, he had all these weapons. He had a great offensive line. He had Nick Chubb and

Kareem Hunt, so it's not like Cleveland hasn't surrounded him with talent, but the last time he was healthy, we saw him get the most out of that talent. He led that franchise, and that's another thing, too, that I do want to talk about with Baker Mayfield is that team was one in 31 before he showed up. They drafted him number one overall to a historically dismal franchise. And within three years, he led them to their first playoff win in 26 years. They won, you know, they made the playoffs. They won 10 games. That's the most success that most Cleveland Browns fans under the age of 30

have ever known. So to be able to do that whenever all that pressure is on you as a franchise quarterback, because when you're drafted number one, you're supposed to turn an organization around. And he did get help from the front office, but he did his job. He turned that organization around and for them to kind of take a cheap shot at him on the way out while they're looking into Deshaun Watson. And I've never, you know, that really rubbed me the wrong way because you're out here on TV and you got Chris Mortensen who is very, very plugged in saying they want a guy who's a more adult quarterback and you're going after a guy that's got multiple sexual assault cases. I mean, like what kind of an adult are you looking for at that point?

And if it doesn't work out now, they're in the situation they're in now where at, at best you're keeping him from one more season and moving on because he's not going to resign there if he even shows up and plays. And on top of that, if you don't, you're moving him, and your best option is Jimmy Garoppolo. And like I said, Jimmy's able to step in and be a leader and win games for that team, and I think it would be a good match for them. But to go from having the number one overall pick, franchise guy, that led you out of one of the worst stretches in NFL history to a playoff win

and to kind of kick him out on the you know kick him on his way out the door you know it just it rubbed me the wrong way so I think Baker Mayfield I don't necessarily know if he fits what the Colts are looking for and I don't really expect it to happen at all but I can see where a lot of fans would be interested in it and he does have very very high upside and he's young yeah and honestly from like a city like city to player fit I feel like honestly I don't know about you Landon because you're closer to Indy than I am I was born and raised there lived my whole life there before I moved out to the west coast it feels like Baker Mayfield be like Indy would love Baker Mayfield

that's oh absolutely absolutely. Yeah. I live, I live about four hours South of Indianapolis. So I live at the very tip of Kentucky, so I don't live in Indiana, but I can get to Indy within four hours. And you know, we visit very often throughout the year for multiple events, especially Colts games. We go to Colts games all the time. And that city, the fans would really embrace him. He's able to win that city over with the way he plays, the way he fights, his passion for winning, his passion for the game. That's a guy that fans would gravitate to if they ever got him. Now, the play on the field might not match necessarily

his personality and stuff like that. You're, you're going to have some volatility there. But I think Frank Reich, as we've seen, he's able to get the best out of every single quarterback that he's had here for better or for worse. And when you have a guy with that high of an upside, whenever you pair him with a guy like Frank Reich, it's either going to, like with Carson Wentz, it's either going to be a masterpiece and, you know, you're going to have your franchise guy for probably the next 10 years or it's going going to, like with Carson Wentz, it's either going to be a masterpiece and, you know, you're going to have your franchise guy for probably the next 10 years or it's going to fail spectacularly.

Last season for Baker Mayfield, like I mentioned, had a torn labrum on his non-throwing shoulder. He had 17 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, just over 3,000 yards passing. The year prior, though, 26 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 3,500 yards. Very intrigued by the possibility of Baker Mayfield. The last point I want to bring up on Baker, though, Landon, before we dive into Matt Ryan, is going to be just about – I think Colts seems to be a little bit apprehensive about Baker Mayfield.

Maybe people feel like it's Carson Wentz where it's a failed top pick. He's extremely inconsistent. He's a guy that we don't know if he exactly fits the off-field aspect of what they're looking for in the locker room either. What's your overall opinion of Mayfield from those that are questioning that fit? Because I can see them as well being correct on that, where Mayfield is not really like a – he's very boisterous. I mean, we've heard him and Kevin Stavansky not really aligning on some points

over the last couple of years too. Like if there's friction in the locker room between coach and player what's your assessment on those points from Baker Mayfield because those feel what just with the way that curse of one situation went those kind of feel important to go over yeah and and that's why I kind of think I don't see the Colts making that move is because they just had a quarterback that was very um I guess, I don't know what the term you would use, but it wasn't a good fit. You know, it just didn't work out. And with a guy like him, he's very outspoken.

And a lot of people love that, especially if you're fans. Like, you love a guy like that who wears his heart on his sleeve. But in terms of a locker room, you know, you can't really be super emotional to a detrimental standpoint to where it can rub guys the wrong way and we've seen him rub you know former teammates you know duke johnson was kind of rubbed the wrong way on his way out there and um you know his coach he's rubbed the wrong way they haven't really gotten along which is where i think a lot of this is coming from and i think it's why they decided to move on to a guy like Deshaun Watson, you know, for better or worse, is because I think they realize he's not that guy.

So very similar to the situation the Colts were just in where, you know, they knew Wentz wasn't the guy. They just went ahead and cut bait. And, you know, what's different is now they had that guy under contract, whereas Carson Wentz, you know, they were able to move off of very easily. And for Baker, you know, he still has upside. He's still young. He's not 30 years old. I think one of the main differences too, I don't want to compare Baker and Carson Wentz because I think they are two very different people internally out of, you know, Baker Mayfield is going to fight and give you everything,

but he's also not going to throw shovel passes out of the back of the end zone with his left hand. He's not that volatile, but he's, he's very outspoken. And I think he's coachable. He's a lot more coachable than Carson Wentz, which I think is what salvages some of that other stuff, because that's a guy who's willing to put the work in, listen to, you know, his head coach, you know, even with him and Stefanski butted heads he was still very coachable and he saw success in that offense because he did you know especially that first year in 2020 I think a lot of this last season stems from the fact that he played hurt for them because they felt like that was their best chance to make the playoffs because they were ready to make a run they had a loaded up roster they spent big in the playoffs because they were ready to make a run. They had a loaded up roster. They spent big in the off season. They went and loaded up with

talent and Baker unfortunately got hurt, but he tried to fight through it for the team and for that coaching staff. And to hear them in the media kind of talk bad about him after he did that for them, it does rub people the wrong way. He's just a little more vocal about it than what some other guys are. This episode is brought to you by Rock Auto. With the ever-increasing numbers of makes and models, it's now possible for your local chain auto parts store to stock all the parts you need. Why endure often pointers to seemingly intimidating questioning while the person behind the counter orders the parts through their computer, choosing the only brand that wears out stuff that's carried at the time. You have computers that access to rockauto.com at home and in your pocket,

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Again, go to rockauto.com right now and write LOCKEDON, L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N, in the How's Your Boss box so that Locked On Colts sent you over there. We'll obviously dive more into Baker Mayfield as the situation unfolds and if indeed he becomes an even more realistic option. I know Mayfield's camp wants him to be a part of the Colts. We'll see if the Colts recipro even more realistic option. I know Mayfield's camp wants him to be a part of the Colts. We'll see if the Colts are significant interest there. But the last QB on the list here of our most realistic five choices that remain for the Colts at QB1, Landon, Matt Ryan.

And I found an interesting point just on Twitter a few minutes ago, so I'll bring this up to you as I'm reading it now, Landon, because Mike Chappell, who we know is very plugged in over at CBS4, Fox, he's been covering the Colts since 1984 when they first moved to India. He was on JMV earlier today, the local radio station, at 107.5 The Fan in Indianapolis. And he said, if I were to suggest to you that Matt Ryan may be the most obvious choice, interesting choice, their choice overall, how much would you buy that?

And he said, there's a reason why I bring that up. So that seems very intriguing because we know Chappell's very plugged in with Ursae, very plugged into the Colts organization bring that up. So that seems very intriguing because we know Chapel's very plugged in with Ursa, very plugged into the Colts organization, Landon. What's your thoughts on Matt Ryan? Because the longer this drags out and we saw the Falcons delay, Matt Ryan's roster bonus was supposed to be tomorrow, now it's a Tuesday. This could be a situation where this could turn to a three-team trade, Landon, where if the Colts feel like Matt Ryan is the most obvious choice to

them, like the one that wins you both in the short term and a good mentor to bridge for the long term. How would you feel about Matt Ryan to the Colts and a potential three-team tradeout might go down between where the Texans get stuff and then the Falcons get stuff from the Colts a little bit and they send it to Houston for Watson? That feels like that could now be in play.

Yeah, so I might not be the best person on this because I have an undying love for Matt Ryan. I loved whenever he was coming out of Boston College there in 2008. I had such a massive affection for him as a quarterback. I loved him. And if you would have told me at the beginning of this offseason that Matt Ryan would be available, I never would have bought it because that is a true franchise quarterback there. I mean, you're talking about a former MVP, took them to a Super Bowl, the Falcons, you know, after the Michael Vick thing happened, they were in a very, very dark place as an organization and they draft him number three overall. And he has done nothing but produce hall of fame worthy

numbers for that franchise in his career I mean I think he's I think he's ninth overall in passing yards he's up there in touchdowns he's just such a steady presence and he's just he is the consummate professional I compare him very similarly to Philip Rivers I do think he's more mobile than Philip Rivers. We even saw that some last year. And last year with the Falcons, I mean, almost basically since Kyle Shanahan left, it's kind of been a downward slide. They've lost a lot of talent over there. Their offensive line, believe it or not, was worse in pass blocking than the Colts were last year they were you know the Colts were ranked 20th I think the Falcons were ranked 26th he you know his best running back was a wide receiver Calvin Ridley you know set out last year Julio Jones was traded he's trotting out Russell Gage who I really like I really like Russell Gage but but he's, they were running him out against cornerback ones. Like

that was his best guy. And, um, I mean, he was in a very, very tough situation last year and he made the best of it up until, you know, they had some injuries. They were a 500 ball club there towards the middle of the season. And he's just such a steadying presence that I think if you can make that move, if you're the Colts, and if you're looking for a guy, you know, he's still two to three years younger than Aaron Rodgers is. So, I mean, it's, you know, Colts fans were clamoring for Aaron Rodgers and, you know, you're probably only going to get a couple seasons, which granted they're very different players right now because Aaron Rodgers is a two-time MVP, but he's younger than when we got Phillip.

He's younger than Aaron Rodgers. This is a guy that I think could play at a really respectable, almost really great level for at least the next three to four seasons. And if you build around him, if you bring a guy like that in, especially to mentor a young quarterback, if they do that, I don't think they draft a quarterback this year, but I can see them dipping into that next year, then that is the perfect guy to learn from. I mean, I could not think of five better guys in the entire NFL to put a rookie quarterback behind them, Matt Ryan. And he's going to bring competitiveness. He's

going to bring unparalleled leadership to this franchise. He's a guy that can be the face of a franchise. He's going to say all the right things. He's going to do all the right things. He's going to mentor guys. He's going to watch film. He's going to do everything you want. And then you look on the on-field play, he's extremely smart. One of the top five smartest quarterbacks in football today. He has no trouble diagnosing things at the line of scrimmage, diagnosing things post-snap, getting the ball out quickly. He's a very accurate quarterback. He doesn't have a huge arm, especially as he's getting older,

but his arm is still stronger than Rivers was in his last year, and we saw how that worked out. So he can still make some deep passes. But, yeah, that would be a home run pick for me because like i said if you were told me at the beginning of the year that matt ryan was available and matt ryan could be the colts quarterback i probably would have done backflips compared to where we've been over the last few seasons what do you think the value would be for matt ryan just because i actually am intrigued by that idea it would be a two-year band-aid so to

say i think honestly in my opinion i think think if they got Matt Ryan aboard here, it would strengthen the purpose of getting a guy in the draft this year because, like you mentioned, Landon, Matt Ryan would be a great mentor. Like, for example, let's say they draft Desmond Ritter at 42 overall and he had to fit behind Matt Ryan for two years and then he takes over in 2024, 2025. Like, that might be an ideal situation for the Colts to kind of bridge the short and long term at the exact same time yeah I agree um I could you know I could see

him going that route but for me if you get a guy like Matt Ryan you're immediately competitive in the division um maybe even possibly the conference depending on how things play out um you know we've seen Devontae Adams go to the Raiders this afternoon and Chandler Jones go over there. We did get Yannick Ngakwe from that, but it's going to be a very, very tough division to get out of if you do make the playoffs. But I think if they build around him this year, they have a very, very strong shot of winning the AFC South.

And once you get into the playoffs, as we saw with Cincinnati, anything can happen. So to me, if you wanted to go that route with a rookie this year, I wouldn't be opposed to it. I would just, I would look more towards next year because next year is a very, very strong quarterback class. You're talking about maybe five to six guys deep that could be like perennial pro bowl type players at the quarterback position guys that if they came out this year I think for me like the fourth or fifth best guy that would come out next year he would be the best quarterback this year so whenever you look at a strong quarterback class you have a chance to compete this year you have a chance to win your division

and you make that big move next year and get that quarterback and you know like I said to me if they move on Matt Ryan I don't think this is like a two-year thing I think you're probably looking at like at least three seasons possibly even four I think he could play very very well up until he's 40 years old because just because of how smart he is and how accurate he is and how refined his mechanics are. So for me, that's what I would look to do, but I would definitely not be opposed to them making that move this year. But I do think if they made that move this year, it would take away from some of that win-now mentality that, I mean,

I think Frank Reich and Chris Ballard have to have, because if they make the move for Matt Ryan and they don't surround him with talent and they don't make the playoffs, you have to think making a swing like that and missing the playoffs again for the second year in a row, it probably doesn't bode well for them. So that's just kind of the lens that I view it through. No, that's actually a really great point. I was actually going to bring up to you, Landon, so good transition there. I think amongst these five names, Ryan, Baker, Mariota, Winston, Jimmy G,

I think if you're betting yourself on to save your job or take you off the hot seat for a couple years or at least one year, I feel like Matt Ryan is the most win-now move that the Colts could make where I think he could go toe-to-toe with Ryan Tannehill in the AFC South and win the Colts 11 games next year if it breaks that way. I know it's a very tough schedule to play the AFC West next year, but if we're talking QBs at the highest upside of competing immediately next year, where it could be a win-now type of move from Ursae, where it's all indications are all chips in there, so I think that's the indication, Landon. I mean, if we're talking win-now moves,

that seems like that could be the ones falling in their lap here is Matt Ryan. Yeah, and look, for all the talk about the colts have to play the a you know that we have to play the afc west next year so do the titans so the jaguars you know those teams don't get a break you know from that afc west schedule so i think you could still be competitive in the division i think that would immediately especially with the ngakwe trade and the way the defensive line is shaping up um i think that would immediately for me vault the Colts into favorites to win the AFC South, especially if you can add a guy like Austin Hooper, who was recently cut. We saw him perform at a Pro Bowl level with Matt Ryan.

So they already have that chemistry there. The Colts have a need at tight end. Maybe even possibly, we saw last year with the Titans, but Julio Jones and Matt Ryan, they have one of the strongest connections in NFL history. Could that be a guy that could reunite on a cheap one-year, you know, prove it deal if he is healthy? I could see that hitting as well. So, I mean, if you're able to surround Matt Ryan with talent and the way the defense is shaping up for me, you know, I think they could immediately compete because it's, it's the best marriage. I think for everything they're looking

for, you're looking for a guy that can run the offense. You're looking for a locker room leader. You're looking for a guy that's the face of a franchise and he's not going to fold in the big moments. And you're looking for a guy that can transition you into the future as well. And I think Matt Ryan checks every single one of those boxes. Let's say hypothetically that they end up with Matt Ryan and Deshaun Watson goes to the Falcons, which seems like the favorite right now is Deshaun to Atlanta. We saw Kyle Pitts deleted a tweet earlier today saying things are going to

get scary in Atlanta. Shears the same agent as Deshaun Watson. So I think that has some likes to it there, Landon. If they do end up with Matt Ryan, the Colts do, what would you do next? Because obviously he has the offensive line.

He doesn't have to worry about that with the Colts. And obviously you'd probably go sign a left tackle, maybe a Dwayne Brown if you want, or maybe just draft a guy on day two of the draft with Matt Pryor. But outside of that, you probably need to get one more weapon or two, probably a tight end and wider seer via the draft of free agency uh if they go in the matt ryan direction what would be your next move lane i feel like kind of like to me at least i would probably go in the direction of like signing mvs from the packers and maybe getting like a like

a robert tony in time for the packers too like those two guys to me make sense free agency and also this is a very strong white out and tight end class in the draft too like i feel like if they do go get matt ryan they are going to address white out a probably end class in the draft too like I feel like if they do go get Matt Ryan they are going to address wide out a kind of double dip in the free agency in the draft yeah I agree I think that's where they go and for me you know with the Robert Tanyan thing I don't know if he's necessarily going to be available because Green Bay just came into quite a bit of cap space with them moving on from Devante so I think with them moving on to him you know Aaron Rodgers is going to want somebody he's familiar with to throw the ball to so I can see him going back there and you know with Austin Hooper you have a guy like I said who already has a rapport with Matt Ryan they're you know

they're not really going to have to do too much learning you know learning each other so that immediately gives him an advantage so that would be the first thing I would do is I would get Austin Hooper on the phone I would get him in here and And then I think at 42, you know, there's a guy that you really like, Tariq Woolen at cornerback. That would be a direction I would really love to go just to solidify that secondary. Or you could even look at possibly getting a guy like Sky Moore, Calvin Austin might be available in the third, you know, you can even trade back into the second and probably pick up wide receivers and a few more picks,

you know, to bolster this roster. So, you know, and look, I know the Julio thing is almost kind of like a stigma with him being hurt and he is getting older and all that. But when he did play last year for the Titans in the very few games he did play, he looked really good. He was productive in the games that he did play. So I think you might be able to get him to reunite with Matt Ryan

on a pretty cheap deal. And if that does hit, you're looking at an offense. Say, for example, they do go with Calvin Austin. They trade back, get some more assets in the second round, and they do get a guy like Calvin Austin in the middle to late second round. You're looking at an offense where you've got Matt Ryan with a pretty good offensive line. And I think he'll make the offensive line better as well, just from how smart he is. So he's gonna have a good offensive line, you got JT and Heinz, who will be utilized. You've got Julio Jones, if that does hit Michael Pittman,

Calvin Austin, and Austin Hooper. And I don't think anybody is upset with an offense that looks like that. No, that seems to me at least like a top 15 offense in the NFL, if not higher than that, just based off of how good Jonathan Taylor would be in that system. And last point here, Len, before we wrap things up, I think I know your answer is based off of your excitement with Matt Ryan, but how would you rank one through five, these options we've gone through over the last four years or so minutes?

Because it feels like a guarantee, at least to me, that one of these five will be the Colts quarterback here within the next couple of days. Yeah, so for me, it would end up looking like Matt Ryan would be my first option. You know, I think by a pretty clear margin. And then you're kind of looking into the rest of the guys where they all have some pretty serious volatility questions.

So you would rank it based off of you know upside slash leadership and kind of what the Colts are looking for so I think for the Colts it would look more maybe like Jimmy Garoppolo over Baker Mayfield which some fans probably won't want to hear but that's what I would expect the Colts list to look like for me I would probably take a shot on Baker before I would Jimmy just because the upside is so much higher but yeah so I would have Matt Ryan Baker Jimmy then I would have Winston and then maybe Mariota and Mariota and Winston I think you could swap it just depends on kind of what your flavor is honestly they're going to give you similar volatility. I think Jameis has a better arm, but Marcus has better legs.

So it just kind of depends on what your flavor with that. But if we're looking about what the Colts, what I expect the Colts to look for, I think the Colts would look at Matt Ryan. Then I think they would go Jimmy Garoppolo, then Baker Mayfield, then Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota last. Yeah, I think based off the Colts own preference sheet I think you're right on the money there I think it'd be Matt Ryan and Jimmy Garoppolo the steady veteran leaders that could come in and really help the offense immediately help you in

the short term be a bridge to the long term I think Baker Mayfield's a wild card option we don't know if the Colts are interested if they are he might zoom to the top of the list here but he's right there at three for me and then really Mariota and Winston are kind of tied at the bottom here. They could go either way for you because they're both just short-term options and guys that'd be a bridge to probably a draft pick in this year's draft. But Landon, appreciate the time to any closing thoughts here as we wait and wrap up this Colts quarterback situation, because hopefully for our sanity,

the Colts have a quarterback by this time of day, the end of the weekend. Yeah, that was going to be my closing thoughts is I'm just ready for this to be over with. You know, it seems every day, you know, we wake up with our hopes up that, you know, Hey, this is the day we're going to make a move. Then once that move is made, then all the other dominoes start to fall. They're able to sign other guys. And then we kind of get a clear direction of where this franchise is heading. And every day, it seems like we're met with roadblocks. So I'm just, I'm ready for this to be over with. I'm ready to move on as a franchise. I'm ready to

see what we're going to be looking like next year. They got a very strong start with the Ngakwe trade. I absolutely love, love, love that for them. And this defensive line has, I think for me, the potential to be a top 10 defensive line, just right off the jump. So, yeah, it's been tiring, but I'm ready to see this through. Yeah, the QB dominoes, I think, are going to start falling rapidly here soon. It's all in the ball of Deshaun Watson's court because it's between the Falcons and the Saints. And if he ends up in Atlanta,

Matt Ryan could easily be coming here to Indianapolis. If it's New Orleans, maybe it's Jameis Winston or someone else heads toward the Colts way. But in the meantime, make sure you follow us on Twitter at LockedOnColts. Make sure you follow Landon on Twitter as well at Landon289. He gives out some great, really insightful Colts thoughts on his Twitter as well. So Landon, appreciate your time tonight, man. Yeah, thanks for having me on.