How to fix the Colts in 2022: Explore QB alternatives, spend money at WR, along offensive line

The Colts were primed to make a playoff run entering the last few weeks of the 2021 NFL season, only to drop their final two games to teams with interim coaches, including the Jaguars — the league’s worst team — with a postseason berth on the line. Stuck at home in January for the second time in three years under Frank Reich, and the fifth time over the last seven seasons, Indianapolis is ripe for change, and team owner Jim Irsay is apparently all in for a shakeup.

The question is, where do they actually go from here? What can they do to get back on track?

You came to the right place. Here are five steps to help fix the Colts:

1. Explore a QB upgrade

In his first year with the Colts, Carson Wentz proved that he’s better than the turnover-riddled starter the Eagles got in 2020. He also reminded us that a lot has changed since his 2017 MVP run — that he’s more serviceable than special. Indy can win with him if he’s well surrounded. And odds are he’ll return as QB1 a year after the Colts traded a first- and third-rounder to land him. But the Colts should not rest on their laurels here; they’ve already waded deep into the QB carousel these last few years, so they might as well stay on if a better alternative — Russell Wilson? — presents itself. Going to a similarly solid arm like Kirk Cousins or Matt Ryan might be too much of a lateral move to justify the turnover, but the financial flexibility is there. If the Colts were to outright cut Wentz, they’d instantly save over $13 million. If they found a trade partner, they’d free up over $28M.

2. Figure out the O-line

Mainly at left tackle, where incumbent starter Eric Fisher is set to hit free agency. The veteran market isn’t overflowing with Pro Bowl talent, that’s for sure: besides big names like Terron Armstead and Duane Brown, you’re looking at Fisher-level plug-ins like Riley Reiff. But the Colts just folded to the Jaguars in part…