In the wake of QB Carson Wentz’s elected foot surgery, there’s still a silver lining for Colts

If there’s a silver lining to new Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback Carson Wentz missing an extended period of time to start the 2021 campaign, it’s this:

1) The Colts are far less likely to have to surrender their 2022 first round pick, as that 2022 conditional second round pick still owed to the Philadelphia Eagles will remain as is. Specifically, the 2022 conditional second round pick could only be elevated to a 2022 first, if: A) Wentz played 75% of the Colts’ total offensive snaps in 2021, or B) Wentz plays 70% of the Colts’ total offensive snaps AND Indianapolis makes the playoffs in 2021.

With a new 17 game season, for reference, if Wentz misses at least 5 games, that puts him right around the 70% threshold (*at least for games played, not necessarily snaps, but it should be a fairly comparable indicator).

2) The Colts will get to see what 2nd-year quarterback and former 2020 4th round pick Jacob Eason can really do with meaningful snaps during an extended audition. This isn’t even preseason playing behind the Colts’ 2nd-string offensive line and throwing to fringe roster receivers, this is ‘the show’, and there’s no truer evaluation for a young quarterback.

We’re still a ways away from even discussing whether Eason could be the long-term franchise quarterback for the Colts, but a strong start during the 2021 season would go a long way towards even entertaining such a notion going forward.

Colts fans want to see Eason’s big rocket arm showcased in action, and hopefully, all of the fine tuning and growth elsewhere that happened during his rookie season a year ago.

He’ll likely take his fair share of lumps and have some ‘green’ moments as a young starter, but the arm talent and potential is clearly there to impress.