Fansided

5 candidates to be Indianapolis Colts starting QB in 2020

By Brad Berreman

WESTFIELD, INDIANA - AUGUST 5: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts in action during the Colts training camp at Grand Park on August 5, 2019 in Westfield, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
WESTFIELD, INDIANA - AUGUST 5: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts in action during the Colts training camp at Grand Park on August 5, 2019 in Westfield, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Will Vragovic/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Will Vragovic/Getty Images /

3. Jameis Winston

As he plays out the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, Winston is heading into a make-or-break season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year. Under new head coach Bruce Arians, who has worked with the likes of Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and a late-career Carson Palmer in his time as a quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator or head coach, the former No. 1 overall pick is being set up to succeed.

Winston’s on-field problems begin and end with turnovers. In 56 career games, he has thrown 58 interceptions and fumbled 38 times (18 lost). His decision-making needs to get way better, and Arians cited some mechanical issues at the root of Winston’s erratic tendencies upon review of his throws.

"I’ve studied a bunch of them,’’ Arians said. “Clyde has watched every throw he’s made since his rookie year and Byron, too. And it’s like you’re trying to look safeties off too long and your feet are crossed. So much of it is mechanical."

Even if he has a healthy and efficient season, Tampa Bay could very well let Winston hit the free agent market unabated by any sort of franchise tag next March. The kind of contract he would command is a big question, but the Colts may be among the top suitors as they look for a long-term answer under center.

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