The Indianapolis Colts have launched a full-scale rebuild, firing general manager Chris Ballard and trading Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to San Francisco for draft picks no earlier than the third round. At 2-5, the franchise appears ready to concede the season, but a critical obstacle looms: the Colts traded their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, along with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, to the New York Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner in November 2023. As a result, Indianapolis will not possess a first-round selection in either upcoming draft, meaning the worse the Colts perform, the more valuable the Jets' picks become.
Historical comparisons underscore the difficulty of rebuilding without premium draft capital. Five recent NFL teardowns — the 2019 Miami Dolphins, 2022 Chicago Bears, 2023 Washington Commanders, 2022 Carolina Panthers, and 2017 Buffalo Bills — all eventually used a top-seven draft pick on a quarterback. The Dolphins selected Tua Tagovailoa fifth overall, the Bears eventually drafted Caleb Williams first overall, the Commanders took Jayden Daniels second, the Panthers moved up for Bryce Young, and the Bills traded up for Josh Allen at No. 7. Each franchise had access to high-value picks that the Colts currently lack.
Indianapolis' previous swing at a franchise quarterback, Anthony Richardson (selected fourth overall in 2023), has not developed as hoped and is currently on the bench. The team now holds eight selections in the 2027 draft, including two third-rounders and two fourth-rounders, but no first-rounder. While the Colts retain their 2028 first-round pick and could acquire more assets via trades (such as moving running back Jonathan Taylor), the path to securing a top quarterback prospect is significantly narrower. Head coach Shane Steichen remains in place, and Daniel Jones is the current starter, but the organization faces an unusual challenge: rebuilding while another team owns the biggest potential reward for its struggles.
