Colts to look at QBs; Cards and Lions not so much … Almost right on cue after Chicago G.M. Ryan Poles was quoted during the team’s season wrap-up presser as saying that the Bears could look to try and trade the #1 pick at the 2023 draft if another team came calling, Indianapolis G.M. Chris Ballard was quoted at the Colts’ presser saying that his team had to ‘get the QB situation right’ and that they’d be more than willing to consider trading up to the #1 spot if a guy they really wanted was there. Said Ballard ““Yes, I’d do whatever it takes. If we thought there’s a player that we’re driven to get, that makes the franchise and the team better, that’s what we do.” The Colts have been treading water at the position the past four following the surprising retirement of Andrew Luck in his prime on with a new starter each year. That number included Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan whom the Colts traded for prior to the start of the past two seasons. If the Colts did want to move up this year, they won’t have to go that far as they have the 4th pick this year after finishing with a disappointing 4-12-1 mark this fall. It would also make some sense for the Bears to deal with the Colts. If they were to stay at #1 Chicago would most likely be deciding between defensive linemen Will Anderson of Alabama and Georgia’s Jalen Carter, one of whom, if not both, will likely still be available at the 4th pick.
On the other hand, there are indications that neither Arizona nor Detroit, which have the 3rd and 6th picks overall respectively, will be looking at QBs with their first round pick. There had been some speculation, for example, that the Cardinals might look to move on from Kyler Murray with the head coach (Kliff Kingsbury) and G.M. (Steve Keim) that drafted him no longer around. However, that likely won’t be the case after Cardinals’ owner Michael Bidwell let the cat out of the bag when he confessed that the team will consult several veterans, including Murray, during the selection process for their new head coach. At the same time, Detroit G.M. Brad Holmes wouldn’t rule out taking a QB with the 6th pick overall, because “good QBs are hard to find” but spent much of his presser praising Jared Goff who he said “has proven to everybody that he is the starting quarterback for us.”
On the other hand, no surprise that Carolina G.M. Scott Fitterer, whose Panthers’ have the 9th pick this year, admitted in his presser that the Panthers need to find a long-term answer at quarterback. “We don’t want to force that,” Fitterer said. “But, eventually, we do need a guy that we need to draft and develop. We need someone who is homegrown that is going to be here for a long period of time. We’re going to keep all of our options open and do what’s best for the team.” Fitterer, though, did indicate that the Panthers won’t make any decision on what to do at QB until after they have filled their vacant head coach role.
