To be perfectly clear, there is no great solution for the Indianapolis Colts to replace Daniel Jones, who was lost for the season on Sunday after he ruptured his Achilles during the Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With Anthony Richardson on injured reserve with no timeline to return, the Colts are left with rookie Riley Leonard, who struggled in place of Jones, and veteran Brett Rypien, who is on the practice squad.
If the Colts want any chance to save their season, they need to explore their options in free agency, and one in particular: veteran quarterback Taylor Heinicke.
Heinicke spent the 2024 campaign with the Los Angeles Chargers and was with the team this past offseason before being cut in favor of Trey Lance. Heinicke did not latch on with another team and is still available in free agency.
Heinicke, 32, has made 29 starts during his career, winning 13 of them.
He last started a game for the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, completing 54.4% of his passes for 890 yards and five touchdowns to four picks in five games (four starts).
The veteran's career numbers are much better, though, with Heinicke completing 62.5% of his passes for 6,663 yards and 39 scores to 28 interceptions.
Heinicke's best years came with the Washington Commanders, where he made 24 starts over three seasons.
He went 12-11-1 in those starts and tallied a completion rate of 64% while throwing for 5,415 yards and a 33-21 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Heinicke was particularly impressive in 2021, when he connected on 65% of his passes for 3,419 yards and 20 scores to 15 picks.
Now, there is zero guarantee that Heinicke is going to be able to save the Colts, but at the very least he's a better option than both Leonard and Rypien and would give Indianapolis a better chance to compete over the last four weeks.
The Colts should sign Heinicke immediately and get him acclimated with the offense so he can possibly get on the field as early as Week 15.
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