NFL Insider reveals Colts' potential replacement after Carson Wentz trade

The Indianapolis Colts are suddenly in need of a starting quarterback after the news broke on Tuesday that Carson Wentz is being traded to the Washington Commanders.

Now the Colts — a team that was one win away from making it into the 2021 NFL playoffs — are being linked to a NFC West quarterback who has been floated around in potential scenarios as most insiders believe his time with his current organization is done.

Shortly after the Wentz trade was reported, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted that the Indianapolis Colts are expected to be in the mix for Jimmy Garoppolo.

The #Colts have now entered the QB race again, and expect them to be in the mix for Jimmy Garoppolo, as well.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2022

Considering both the Colts and 49ers make their bread and butter with a strong dose of the running game, opening up play-action opportunties for the quarterback, the fit makes sense.

Garoppolo finished last season with 3,810 yards, 20 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a QB rating of 98.7.

It’s fair for Indianapolis Colts fans to argue if the 49ers signal caller would be viewed as an upgrade.

Wentz had an eerily similar stat line for the 2021 campaign. He threw for 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with a QB rating of 94.6.

Indianapolis Colts part ways with Wentz after one season

The Indianapolis Colts have opted to trade quarterback Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Colts are getting “a package of picks” from Washington, including two third-round picks, per the report.

Washington was looking for a new signal-caller following another seven-win season under Ron Rivera. The Commanders looked far and wide for a new quarterback this offseason, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“The Commanders called on every QB and end up with Carson Wentz from the #Colts in exchange for mid-round picks,” Rapoport shared on Twitter. “They weren’t going to wait for Jimmy G, didn’t land Russell Wilson. Now end up with Carson.”

The Colts will get this year’s third-round pick from Washington and next year’s third-round pick as well, which could convert to a second-round pick depending on incentives.

The former Philadelphia Eagles starter will likely take over for Taylor Heinecke in Washington. Heinecke finished 19th in the league in passing yards in 2021 with 20 touchdowns, 15 interceptions. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz finished 18th with 3,563 passing yards for the Colts. He had a 62.4% completion percentage this season while throwing 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.

Wentz, a former first-rounder out of North Dakota State, heads into his seventh year in the league. He made $20 million in guaranteed money in 2021 with the Colts. Indianapolis finished the year at 9-8 behind the Tennessee Titans in the division