Carson Wentz Uncertainty Hasn't Impacted Colts' Super Bowl Odds
By Matt De Saro
Now that the NFL season is over, we have a chance to gather ourselves and shift focus to futures betting next year. Since the odds were released by WynnBET Sportsbook for the 2023 Super Bowl, we might as well make the most of them and preview some of the more intriguing options. One such team I highlighted was the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts opened tied as ninth favorite to win it all next year at +2000. Those odds are shared with the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers heading into the offseason.
Indy has the second-best odds for a team that failed to make the playoffs last year. I find the fact that they are tied with the Packers quite interesting as both teams are unsure who will be starting under center in 2022.
This is curious because it suggests that the Colts, with Carson Wentz, are as good as the Packers with Aaron Rodgers. Maybe it’s just a case of oddsmakers expecting Rodgers to leave but are on the fence about Wentz’s future in Indy. Maybe it’s that the oddsmakers think it won't matter much if he stays or goes. Either way, it made me want to look a little closer at the Colts.
I suppose the Super Bowl odds make more sense after remembering that Wentz is not the best offensive weapon they have. Jonathon Taylor is.
The Colts’ ground game exploded to such a degree last year that the weight of trying to carry this team was lifted off Wentz’s shoulders. I think this is a team that free-agent quarterbacks would want to play for. Even guys looking for a trade to a contender.
If the Colts manage to trade Wentz, which I think is likely, they would save $28.3 million next year and $53.4 million in the future. Targets will likely include guys like Russell Wilson, Jimmy Garoppolo, and maybe Deshaun Watson.
If that kind of trade goes down, I think it will expect the odds for Indy to shorten. So, if you are looking to bet on the Colts in 2022, it might be better to do so before they upgrade at QB. At the end of the day, whoever they pick up will just be handing the ball off. to Taylor most of the game anyhow.