I think you guys are right about Fields if we want to bring in someone to legitimately compete w/ AR for the starting QB job.

But if the idea is to bring in more the mentor type role to help get AR back on track then I say you go w/ Mariota. Or just throwing this out there - bring Minshew back. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Vegas releases him, which would be a ~$6M cap savings, or willing to trade him for a low round draft pick which would be ~$9M savings.

I’m torn between legit competition and a mentor. How much would Fields need to outplay AR before you give him the starting job? If you think Fields is playing well enough to be the possible long term answer then that’s one thing. But if he’s just a little better than AR who do you start? May be hard to lure Fields here if it’s not a true competition. But if Fields comes in and just barely beats out AR, then Ballard and Stechein are likely done in Indy. AR too.

Will Howard & even Kyle McCord are better than Kurtis Rourke

Rourke didn't do himself any favors in the playoff game with Notre Dame, his mobility or lack thereof, was really exposed!

It's a really bad QB class.
Maybe Sanders or Cam Ward might be good. Milroe maybe. The rest, hard pass for me. Just JAGS!

Agree. That's why I'm leaning towards the mentor and attempt to get AR back on track approach. Of course if Ballard and Steichen believe AR likely won't get there then the better move is to go w/ Fields.

Seem to recall Ballard really like Fields that year in the draft

The only way the Colts don't get set back 3-5 years is if Richardson works his ass off and comes back next season as a much better QB. He can physically make all the throws and we know he can run, no reason why he can't be greatly improved next season if he is willing to put in the time!

The reason I question whether or not AR is going to what it takes, is his end of season presser.

When ashed directly, if he was considering working with one of the QB gurus {Tom House) AR replied that he would work with his guys.

What has his current team done to improve his game? That is not a guy who is committed to improving. That is a guy who wants to feel comfortable. To win in this league, you have to do some things that make you uncomfortable and challenge you.

Or is it a guy that doesn’t know what it takes to improve? Similar to not understanding the level of preparation that’s required weekly? Both scenarios are issues but one is completely on him and one is more on the team. I honestly can’t get a sense if AR is lazy / unwilling to work or just naive and not being mentored properly. I see little indication the team has done him many favors. I’m often not a fan of the play calling, he’s lacked the typical security blankets (pass catching RB and TE), their handling of the benching and the back injury were shitty, and we’ve seen no indication anyone is really mentoring him. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t lead me to much optimism.