Odds to take first snap for Colts in Week 1
Odds via DraftKings
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jacob Eason | -150 |
| Nick Foles | +250 |
| Brett Hundley | +400 |
| Carson Wentz | +500 |
| Sam Ehlinger | +650 |
| Marcus Mariota | +700 |
| Tyler Bray | +1000 |
| Philip Rivers | +1200 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | +1400 |
| Gardner Minshew | +1600 |
| Blake Bortles | +1600 |
With Carson Wentz expected to miss the start of the 2021 regular season, a surprising name is considered the betting favorite to start Week 1 for the Indianapolis Colts.
Wentz underwent surgery on his foot and is expected to miss 5-to-12 weeks. That could have Indianapolis scrambling for a replacement. Wentz was acquired in a trade with the Eagles following Philip Rivers' retirement.
According to odds posted by DraftKings, Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles is favored to take the first snap at +250 (bet $100, profit $250). It's a popular rumor considering Foles is buried on the depth chart behind Andy Dalton and likely rookie Justin Fields. Consider Foles' history with Colts head coach Frank Reich, and it seems like a no-brainer.
The next three options on the board are actually currently on the Colts roster, which helps. Brett Hundley, the former Packers back-up who spent the last two seasons behind Kyler Murray with the Cardinals, was signed following the news of Wentz's injury. He's ahead of the injured Wentz and rookie Sam Ehlinger.
After Ehlinger, guess away at potential acquisitions.
Marcus Mariota is a backup in Las Vegas with the Raiders, but the former Tennessee Titans starter was impressive in his chances last season. Tyler Bray is a free agent who has spent time with the Bears and Chiefs. Rivers is retired, but you never know if a comeback is on the table.
Garoppolo has to fend off Trey Lance in San Francisco, while Gardner Minshew likely moves out of the way for rookie Trevor Lawrence. Blake Bortles is a free agent after the Packers released him following Aaron Rodgers' return.
Notably missing from the original oddsboard was current No. 1 option on the Colts depth chart, Jacob Eason. Eason was drafted last season and is most familiar with the playbook. Hundley or anyone else brought in would need to get acclimated quickly.
The Action Network's Sean Koerner suggested Eason should be the favorite to win the job and would list the odds somewhere between -120 and -150. After the original publish of this story, Eason was added at DraftKings as the -150 favorite.
