The start of the 2023 NFL Draft is still 72 days away, but Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay may have just revealed the team's plans for its first pick.
Looks like #Colts owner Jim Irsay let the cat out of the bag about the #Colts Draft plans.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 14, 2023
"The Alabama guy doesn't look bad, I'll tell ya."
The Colts currently pick at number 4. May need to move up if they want Bryce Young. pic.twitter.com/hY93tvznKk
Irsay: "Although the Alabama guy doesn't look bad, I'll tell ya." https://t.co/b1MeqkOjoa
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 14, 2023
The potentially accidental reveal of the plans came Tuesday afternoon during new head coach Shane Steichen's introductory press conference.
Indianapolis traded for former MVP quarterback Matt Ryan nearly 11 months ago, but the 37-year-old's first year with the Colts was a disaster. He was limited to 12 games due to injury and multiple benchings, finished the season with the second-lowest passing yardage total (3,057) of his career, set a career-low in touchdown passes (14) and tossed 13 interceptions while posting a career-high 15 fumbles.
"Matty Ice" is the latest in a long string of failed Colts signal-callers in recent years. After Andrew Luck abruptly retired during the 2019 preseason, the team saw Jacoby Brissett and Brian Hoyer take snaps under center that year, Philip Rivers with a sprinkle of Brissett in 2020, and then Carson Wentz and Jacob Eason in 2021.
Ryan played and started 12 contests this past season, while former sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger played four games (three starts) and 34-year-old Nick Foles got into three games, making two starts.
It may now be time for the franchise to turn the page yet again. They could go all in and trade up to the first overall pick to select Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
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