Is Gardner Minshew The Colts' Starting Quarterback in 2023? Fantasy Football Outlook

March 20, 2023

Is Gardner Minshew be the Colts' starting quarterback in 2023? Read the outlook here.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew has reached an agreement to sign with the Indianapolis Colts. The 26-year-old started a few games for the NFC Champion Eagles while Jalen Hurts dealt with a shoulder injury and had mixed results.

Meanwhile, the Colts have gone through a revolving door at QB, having a different signal-caller for Week 1 each of the last seven seasons.

How has Minshew played up to this point in his career and is he the Colts' starter for 2023? Let's dive in.

Gardner Minshew Career Review

In four seasons as a pro, Minshew has completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 6,632 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Minshew played in five games last season, starting two. During that stretch, he completed just 57.9 percent of his passes for 663 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.

He went 0-2 in the absence of Jalen Hurts against the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints.

Ultimately, he's been an up-and-down gunslinger during his first four seasons in the NFL, but he's looked the part of a top-32 quarterback on several occasions.

Is Gardner Minshew The Colts' Starting Quarterback in 2023?

While Minshew would be the starter for the Colts if the season started today, the team will likely target a rookie QB in the 2023 NFL Draft. If they take CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, or even Hendon Hooker, he can't be expected to be the starter for a full season. However, he could serve as a bridge QB for at least the first few games -- making him worth a roster spot in two-QB/Superflex leagues.

There's also an off-chance Indianapolis decides to roll with Minshew and punt on the QB position until the 2024 NFL Draft. The Colts have tried to quick-fix its quarterback position for over half a decade, so they might opt to be methodical and head into a rebuilding season in 2023. 2024 prospects Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are viewed as better players than the group of 2023 QBs, so it could be an interesting decision.

Either way, there's a minimal chance that Minshew is the long-term option for the AFC South team. His best-case scenario is likely to be a six-plus game bridge quarterback for whoever is waiting in the wings for the Colts' QB job.

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