Jim Irsay says Colts considered trading for a 'young' franchise QB who would have cost two first-round picks

The Colts owner wouldn't reveal whom the team was trying to acquire

Colts owner Jim Irsay left some proverbial bread crumbs on the table Tuesday from the annual league meetings. After trading Carson Wentz to the Commanders, Irsay acknowledged that the Colts considered trading for a "young" franchise quarterback that would have cost his team a pair of first-round picks. While that plan never came to fruition, the Colts were able execute a trade with the Falcons that brought 36-year-old quarterback Matt Ryan to Indianapolis. 

Irsay did not reveal which quarterback the Colts were considering trading for, but among the players who fit Irsay's profile include Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is currently in negotiations with Las Vegas on a contract extension. Another possibility may have been Kyler Murray, whose future with the Cardinals was under intense scrutiny earlier this offseason. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (age 33) and 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (30) are two other players the Colts may have considered trading for before acquiring Ryan. 

While the quarterback the Colts considered trading for is a mystery, Irsay left no doubt as it relates to his feelings regarding Wentz's performance at the end of what was his only season in Indianapolis. Irsay said Wentz's subpar performance in the Colts' Week 18 loss to the Jaguars -- a loss that eliminated Indianapolis from playoff contention -- "was not an accident," via Zak Keefer of The Athletic. Wentz's performance (he went 17 of 29 for 185 yards with a touchdown and an interception while getting sacked six times and fumbling once) convinced Irsay that a quarterback change was necessary. 

"It's just, for us, it was just it was something that we had to move away from as a franchise — it was very obvious," Irsay said. 

Despite not having a succession plan in place, the Colts traded Wentz to Washington less than a week before the start of free agency. A dozen days after trading Wentz, Indianapolis acquired Ryan from Atlanta in exchange for third-round pick in next month's draft. Irsay is hopeful that Ryan, a former league MVP who is fifth all time with 10 career 4,000-yard passing seasons, can help the Colts contend for an AFC South division title in 2022 and beyond. 

"Extremely grateful to the football Gods, so to speak," Irsay said, "(regarding) where we were compared to where we are."