INDIANAPOLIS – There are a lot of questions to be answered about all four rosters in the AFC South, but I only see one move that can really alter the favorite for 2022.
The Titans have won the division twice in a row and barring disasters in roster construction the expectation will be that they are the favorites to do it again.
DraftKings has the Titans at -105 and the Colts at +140 while BetMGM has the Titans at +100 with the Colts at +140.
What changes it? [Unlocked]
A dramatic move at quarterback for Indianapolis.
Carson Wentz was statistically solid for the Colts last season with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions and a 94.6 passer rating.
But he had big moments of questionable decision-making and he failed to lead the Colts to a win in Week 17 against Las Vegas or Week 18 at Jacksonville when a single win would have gotten the franchise into the postseason.
The trade that brought him to Indianapolis in exchange for what became the Colts’ first-rounder this year and a 2021 third-rounder looked bad after those results. Owner Jim Irsay was outspoken about how dissatisfied he was. Emotions were raw.
While the #Titans have won the AFC South twice in a row, #Colts’ GB Chris Ballard said he thinks bigger as he builds. pic.twitter.com/hPrHhAaioO
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) March 1, 2022
ESPN’s Chris Mortenson reported in mid-February that the future between the team and QB looked “bleak” and that he expected Wentz to be traded or released.
GB Chris Ballard (pictured above) sounded like a middle man working between an owner who’s ready to move on and a coach who might remain supportive.
“We’re still working through it… and I don’t have a direct answer for you,” Ballard said. “Jim – Mr. Irsay -- Frank and I will sit down over the next 10 days and figure out where it’s going. Ultimately we’ll do what’s best for the team, both in the short tear and in the long term.”
Ballard said the trio can disagree but come to a conclusion they agree upon.
He said Wentz was in his office for an hour Tuesday morning and that it was good. The GM said most o the media criticism of the QB is “pretty fair” and that it “will be interesting to see how he grows from this; I think he will.”
Reich spoke after Ballard and echoed the primary theme.
“I believe in Carson, I stuck my neck out for him last year,” he said. “I believe he’s going to have a lot of success, that might be here or it might be somewhere else. That decision has yet to be made.”
But he did also say Wentz being back is a logical decision.
I don’t think the Titans fear defending Wentz one bit. If you are a fan of Tennessee I’d say root for the status quo for the combine’s home team. It'll help line the Titans up as division favorites again.
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