Colts Starting QB: Nick Foles Given A 16.7% Chance To Start Week 1
Colts Starting QB: Nick Foles, Jacob Eason Among Favorites
- Latest odds for who will start as the Colts QB in Week 1
- Jacob Eason the slight favorite
- Colts Super Bowl odds
On Monday, August 2nd, it was announced Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz would need to undergo surgery on his injured left foot. As a result, Wentz will be sidelined for approximately 5 to 12 weeks. So now the Colts have to decide who will be under center in Week 1.
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Colts Starting QB Odds - Carson Wentz and Jacob EasonÂ
Wentz underwent surgery on August 3rd and must stay off his feet for two weeks before beginning rehab. The 5-12 week window is enormous, with the Colts not quite ready to rule him out even though they’ll be preparing another quarterback for the Week 1 start. Wentz is currently at +750 (risk $100 to win $750), or an implied 11.8% chance to be the week one starter for the Colts.
The Colts gave up a third-round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional second-round pick (which could become a first-rounder if Wentz either plays at least 75% of the Colts’ offensive snaps or plays 70% of the snaps and the Colts reach the playoffs) in the 2022 draft to get Wentz.
The Colts lack experience at quarterback. Jacob Eason has been taking first-team reps since Wentz hurt his foot last week, while recently signed Brett Hundley is the Colts’ only healthy QB who has attempted a pass in a regular-season NFL game—joined by rookie 6th round pick Sam Ehlinger +200 (Risk $100 to win $200) as the Colts current options.
The Colts drafted Eason in the 4th round of the 2020 draft. With just over four weeks to go until the NFL season kicks off, Jacob Eason is the favorite to be the Colts starting QB in week 1. He is currently listed at -140 (Risk $100 to win $40) or an implied 58.3% chance to be the Colts week one quarterback.
| Player | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Eason | -140 | 58.3% |
| Sam Ehlinger | +200 | 33.3% |
| Nick Foles | +500 | 16.7% |
| Brett Hundley | +500 | 16.7% |
| Carson Wentz | +750 | 11.8% |
Could the Colts Trade For Nick Foles?
A logical trade target would be the Chicago Bears’ Nick Foles. He is currently the third-string quarterback behind Andy Dalton and rookie first-round pick Justin Fields. Foles has a history with Colts head coach Frank Reich. Reich was his offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles when he replaced Wentz after his knee injury in 2017 and led Philadelphia to a Super Bowl victory.
Sportsbooks realize this connection and possible reunion and have listed Nick Foles at +500 (Risk $100 to win $500) or an implied 16.7% chance. Sportsbooks have Foles priced the same as Brett Hundley (also +500), and Hundley is currently on the Colts roster.
Super Bowl Odds- Indianapolis Colts
There is the possibility that Wentz can recover in time for week one, but that looks slim. A better indication of recovery will be once rehabilitation starts between weeks two and four. If Wentz were to recover on the more optimistic side of the timetable of 5 weeks, he would be in line to start week 1.
Currently listed at +4500 (Risk $100 to win $4500), the Colts are listed amongst the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals to win the Lombardi Trophy. However, going into the 2021 NFL season, the Colts made the trade acquiring Wentz to compete with division rivals Tennessee Titans and the powerhouse of the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs. Behind a top 5 offensive line, one of the best young running backs, and a strong defense, the Colts will need to survive and win some games without Wentz under center. Otherwise, their Super Bowl hopes will quickly go down the drain in 2021.