The Indianapolis Colts might have tried to go a few different directions when trying to find a quarterback to replace the injured Daniel Jones before landing Philip Rivers. Indy reportedly tried to pry Sam Ehlinger from the Denver Broncos practice squad, for instance. The former Colt said no, and his reason might have exposed a brutal truth.
Ehlinger was drafted by general manager Chris Ballard in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft. The team was still searching for its true long-term QB, but that wasn't expected to be Ehlinger. Instead, the hope was that he would develop into a long-term solid backup.