What is a franchise QB worth?
 

Those guys just do not grow on trees.

How in the heck do we get another franchise QB?

Starts with firing Chris Ballard.

It’s REALLY hard to find a franchise quarterback.

But if you don’t have one, it’s all just window dressing, because you aren’t winning anything without one.

The way I see it, Sauce in our number 1 pick in 2026, and we have no #1 pick in 2027, my guess is rebuild in 2027, get a top 5 pick in 2028 and hope someone other than Ballard makes that pick!

First you actually have to want to get one. When Luck retired I distinctly remember Ballard saying he thought that franchise QBs were overrated (my word) and not necessary for building a consistent winning team. If I remember correctly (and I think I do as it was such a different take) he felt you built a great team and just added an ok QB and you can win. Now it does occasionally happen like that, but as sherk pointed out, it is the franchise QBs that consistently get into the playoffs. You need to think it is your number one priority for a team. It is my biggest gripe with Ballard (that and that he cannot scout a pass rusher to save his life)

Hurry up and wait.

I think Indianapolis may get an opportunity to draft one in 2-3 years.

Might as well see if Jones will come in for cheap the next two, see what AR gives you next year, and let it all burn if it doesn't work. With the chips being put in on the Gardner trade, I really don't see how they have any other option.

Ballard was actually downplaying the importance of a franchise QB while Luck was on the roster. It was one of the first things I heard / saw that told me I didn’t agree with his philosophy. At the time everyone was happy because it sounded like the anti Grigson - build a team where the QB was just another player. Sounds great. It’s just not a realistic winning formula.

Who are the current franchise QBs right now?

There are 15 or 20 other teams in the league who wish they had our problem at the position. Daniel Jones is not Peyton Manning and he’s not Patrick Mahomes; but if you’re dissatisfied because you have a QB with an NFL rating north of 100, a QBR that’s 7th in the league, a man who looked deep into his soul, ignored the pain, and played on a broken leg, the football gods should strike and turn you into a pillar of salt.

o


There is a real possibility that Anthony Richardson could start the 2026 season as the Colts' 3rd-string quarterback, behind Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard ...... and if that winds up being the case, we would be in the complete reverse situation that we were in this past Sunday ...... playing on the Seahawks' homefield in western Washington, with a 44 year-old quarterback with no arm-strength and no mobility trying to somehow muddle us through a win against one of the best overall teams in the NFL.

o