Outside the box QB options that could improve the Colts’ chances of making the playoffs after Daniel Jones’ season-ending injury
A pair of teammates who would need granted their release and a rookie sitting on a contenders practice squad just might be the best options that could help the Colts at QB after Daniel Jones’ injury.
The Indianapolis Colts will add another quarterback at some point this week. Daniel Jones will be added to IR with a torn Achilles, and backup Anthony Richardson is still on IR with an orbital bone injury. Now the team is turning to their third-string quarterback, rookie Riley Leonard, as the starter, and the only other QB on the team is Brett Rypien on the practice squad.
The Colts haven’t even chosen to add Rypien to the active roster as their emergency third QB. This suggests that they would likely want to look elsewhere if they wish to give Leonard any competition for the starting spot down the stretch.
Free agents really won’t get the job done in this case, so I took a somewhat unconventional approach. I have two players who would require their current teams to release them, and another who is on a practice squad, which would allow the Colts to sign them.
Jameis Winston or Russell Wilson from the New York Giants
The first two are actually teammates on the New York Giants: Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson. Jaxson Dart is the new starter, and for the future, so I wonder if either Winston or Wilson would consider the Colts’ current situation post-Jones’s injury and ask for their release from the Giants.
This would allow them to sign with the Colts and get a chance to start for the remainder of the season as they look for new jobs in 2026. The more likely of the two would be Wilson, given that he is not under contract for 2026, whereas Winston is. The Giants are paying the remainder of Wilson’s salary this season, regardless, with him sitting on the bench and now third string behind Dart and Winston. So, if he asked for his release, I do not think the Giants would fight it that hard.
Kyle McCord, Philadelphia Eagles practice squad
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Kyle McCord in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft, just a few picks before the Colts selected Leonard. McCord had a great season at Syracuse, and his last collegiate season. He set new career highs at Syracuse, throwing for 4,779 yards and 34 touchdowns, and led the FBS in passing yards and passing yards per game with 367.6.
He couldn’t beat out Tanner McKee in training camp during the preseason and now sits on the Eagles’ practice squad. If the Colts wanted to bring in another rookie who had a fantastic final season in college to compete with Leonard, and at worst be his backup, McCord could make a lot of sense.
I’m not sure if McCord or Leonard is truly ready to be an NFL starter, but having two question marks at QB might be better than one, as it gives the Colts an additional option.
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