The NFL’s regular season is right around the corner. It’s unclear which quarterbacks the Indianapolis Colts will face this year.
Due to injury or performance, several rookie signal-callers could face the Colts’ defense. Seven rookie QBs played in the league last season. The list includes Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, Aidan O’Connell, Tyson Bagent, and Tommy DeVito.
The Colts could face a rookie first-round quarterback four times this season. If that happens, it will be the first time the team has done so since 1983. That year, back when they were in Baltimore, they played against both Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins) and John Elway (Denver Broncos) twice. What first-rounders could the Colts take on in 2024?
The Indianapolis Colts Could Face Four First-Round Rookie Quarterbacks This Season
Caleb Williams
After beginning the regular season with games against the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers, the Colts will battle the Chicago Bears in Week 3. Barring injury, it will be an exciting, young quarterback matchup between Indy’s Anthony Richardson and the Bears’ Caleb Williams.
Williams, of course, was the top pick in this year’s draft. He’s supposed to become the franchise QB that Chicago has needed for what seems like a million years.
J.J. McCarthy
Indianapolis will play the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9. Sam Darnold will likely start the season as the team’s starter. But by Week 9, rookie J.J. McCarthy may be the guy the Colts see on the field.
Minnesota drafted him 10th overall. When you draft a quarterback in the top 10, you’re looking for that guy to be your starter soon. McCarthy, who led the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship last season, has much potential. He’s too good to sit on the bench for too long. That’s why he’ll probably be under center by Week 9, replacing Darnold, who’s considered a bridge quarterback.
Drake Maye
The Colts take on the New England Patriots during Week 13. Years ago, the two teams had a heated rivalry centered around Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. There’s no longer much of a rivalry, but the Week 13 contest could still be a watchable game.
Former Colt Jacoby Brissett is expected to begin the season as the starter. However, by Week 13, Drake Maye might be the man. Maye was drafted third overall. Drafted that high, you’re not supposed to be a backup for long. If Brissett goes down with an injury or doesn’t perform well, Maye could certainly be the starter late in the season.
Bo Nix
The Denver Broncos are on the schedule for Week 15. Denver currently has an interesting QB battle between Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson, and Bo Nix. Who knows who’ll be starting come Week 15? Stidham is a journeyman and Wilson, the second overall pick in 2021, has had a disappointing career thus far. Nix, who was drafted 12th overall this year, might be a future star.
The Broncos thought they had found their franchise QB when they traded for Russell Wilson two years ago. But things didn’t work out. The talented Nix could very well be the starter when the Colts take on Denver.
Main Photo: Christine Tannous/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK
