Colts Eye Next Franchise QB in 2026 Draft if Current Options Don’t Pan Out
If Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones fail to deliver at quarterback, the Indianapolis Colts may turn to the 2026 NFL Draft for their next franchise QB.
Following a dismal 4-12-1 season in 2022, which saw the firing of head coach Frank Reich and the hiring of former Colts center Jeff Saturday as interim head coach, the Colts hoped to stabilize their quarterback position. In the 2023 draft, they selected Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick—a raw but immensely talented player with sky-high potential.
However, Richardson’s early performances have been far from promising. His struggles with inexperience, accuracy issues, poor decision-making, and injuries have raised concerns. In the competitive world of the NFL, where young quarterbacks face little patience, it’s clear that if Richardson doesn’t outplay Daniel Jones for the starting role, his future in Indianapolis could be short-lived.
But what happens if both Richardson underperforms and Jones resembles the struggles he had with the New York Giants? According to Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski, the Colts might be forced to draft a new quarterback in 2026.
Sobleski notes that Richardson is entering a crucial year but is currently sidelined with a shoulder issue. Meanwhile, the Colts’ hope rests on Jones making a potential resurgence. But with expectations low for either QB, Sobleski suggests that the Colts may need to reset and take a new direction—possibly with Penn State’s Drew Allar.
The urgency for Indianapolis is clear. While every team needs a reliable starting quarterback, the Colts are particularly desperate for a solution. If neither Richardson nor Jones works out, drafting Allar could be the best way forward.
Allar, who helped lead Penn State to a Fiesta Bowl victory, has impressive stats in his college career, with 53 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. He completed 66.5% of his passes in 2024 and is known for his accuracy. While not an elite runner, Allar is still effective in the ground game, with 560 career rushing yards, including 302 in 2024, and 11 rushing touchdowns.
If the Colts do select Allar, it would mean a major setback for their current quarterbacks, with Richardson being considered a bust and Jones relegated to backup status. However, with so much at stake, Indianapolis may decide to roll the dice on a fresh start by bringing in the young talent to lead the franchise.
For now, the Colts are hoping Richardson takes a big leap in 2025 and proves he’s the player they envisioned when they drafted him. But with Jones in the lead and Richardson’s injury concerns, the 2026 draft may end up being their backup plan—one that could involve Allar as their future QB.
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