Odds to Be Colts’ Starting Quarterback in Week 1 Favored Foles, Now Eason Atop Board
- 2020 4th Round Pick Jacob Eason has overtaken Nick Foles as the favorite to be the Colts starter in Week 1
- Indianapolis’ QB situation is currently up in the air thanks to Carson Wentz’s foot injury, that could sideline him for up to 12 weeks
- Read below for analysis on whether Eason, Foles, or another quarterback is the best bet to be Indy’s starter in Week 1
Nick Foles has a history of successfully filling in for Carson Wentz, so could the Super Bowl 52 MVP be the answer to the Colts’ QB conundrum?
Indy’s Week 1 quarterback situation is currently up in the air thanks to Wentz’s foot injury, an issue that could keep him out of action for anywhere from five to 12 weeks.
2020 4th Round pick Jacob Eason is currently taking the majority of first team reps in training camp, and now has the shortest odds to start the Colts’ season opener, after Foles was labelled the favorite earlier on Thursday morning.
Colts Week 1 Starting QB Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jacob Eason | -150 |
| Nick Foles | +250 |
| Brett Hundley | +400 |
| Carson Wentz | +500 |
| Sam Ehlinger | +650 |
| Marcus Mariota | +700 |
| Tyler Bray | +1000 |
| Philip Rivers | +1200 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | +1400 |
| Blake Bortles | +1600 |
| Gardner Minshew | +1600 |
Odds as of August 4th at DraftKings.
The problem is, Eason has not exactly flashed in camp so far. He’s reportedly checking down to his running back too much, and throwing far too many interceptions.
Colts QB Jacob Eason has a favorite target he enjoys throwing to: LB Bobby Okereke. Okereke has intercepted Eason on back-to-back days
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) July 31, 2021
For now he has a vote of confidence from head coach Frank Reich, but the 23-year-old is facing an uphill battle. Due to COVID, he didn’t get any preseason snaps in his rookie season, and got virtually no work in practice behind Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett. He’s got prototypical size and arm strength, but he lacks experience. He threw only 782 passes at the collegiate level and finished 84th in the nation in his final season in average depth of target.
Of course, dissecting Eason could be a moot point, as there’s still a chance Wentz could start in Week 1.
Will Wentz Be Ready?
Wentz’s vague timetable leaves the door open for him starting in Week 1. The 28-year-old elected to have surgery for a foot injury that stems back as far as high school, but the recovery process is player dependent.
Breaking: Frank Reich says Carson Wentz had an old foot injury dating back to perhaps high school according to doctors. Over time, the broken bone came loose and caused pain. The decision has been made to undergo surgery and remove it. 5-12 weeks.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) August 2, 2021
The Colts’ season opener is just short of six weeks from the day Wentz went under the knife, so a return is technically in the range of outcomes. Reich said it’s the type of injury Wentz doesn’t have to be pain-free to play through, and they’ll have a better idea of where he stands in a couple weeks.
That will allow the team to take a closer look at Eason, as well as rookie Sam Ehlinger and recently signed Brett Hundley, but many experts believe Indy would be wise to acquire a proven veteran in the meantime.
A Potential Foles-Reich Reunion
The name that is getting the most buzz is Foles, not for his recent play, but for his relationship with Reich. The two helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl, and Reich is on record saying that Foles is the kind of player that fits Indy’s culture.
Carson Wentz is out indefinitely with a foot injury…
There’s only one man for the job 👀 pic.twitter.com/iDcJlHZhP2
— PFF (@PFF) July 30, 2021
Foles is currently in the second year of a three-year contract with Chicago, but has fallen to number three on the depth chart behind rookie Justin Fields and Andy Dalton. Indianapolis could easily fit his $4 million salary under the cap, but should they want to?
“I’m gonna keep slingin it with these 3rd stringers and we’re gonna DICE ‘em up”
“Y’all saw what happened in 2017 when (Frank Reich) built the offense around me”
🗣🗣 BIG RICHARD NICK FOLES LETTIN IT EAT pic.twitter.com/fCtFQHuxPr
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 2, 2021
Foles’ game has fallen off a cliff since that magical run with the Eagles in 2017. He was overtaken in Jacksonville by Gardner Minshew, and posted a 3-5 record, with a dismal 43.3 QBR with the Bears last season. He was Pro Football Focus’ 33rd ranked passer in 2020, while averaging just 5.9 yards per completion.
Chicago would be happy to deal Foles, but after already investing a fair bit of draft capital in Wentz, the risk adverse Colts aren’t likely to pony up more for him, or someone else like Minshew, Marcus Mariota, or Jimmy G.
Don’t Rule Out Rivers
Which is why calling Philip Rivers makes the most sense. The 39-year-old doesn’t seem to be enjoying retirement as much as he should, and popped up in the news this week about potentially making a return.
Spent the first half of the day with Philip Rivers who assures me that, while he's focused on coaching high school football now, he isn't closing the door on coming back for a stint late in the season if there's an NFL team that needs him.
— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) August 3, 2021
He obviously knows the playbook inside and out, and was quite successful in his only season in Indy. He started all 16 games in 2020, leading the Colts to an 11-5 record and a Wild Card berth, and is the only quarterback in the NFL with over 4,100 passing yards in every year since 2013.
Pick: Philip Rivers (+1200)
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
