GM declines to commit to 2022 starter

While speaking during his season-ending news conference, GM Chris Ballard fell short of committing to Wentz as the Colts' starting QB next season, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reports. "When we made the decision, after Philip [Rivers] retired ... to make a move on Carson, at the time of the decision we felt good about it and I still don't regret the decision at the time," Ballard noted Thursday. "Sitting here today ... I won't make a comment on who is going to be here next year and who is not going to be here next year. That's not fair to any player."

Meanwhile, Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star previously relayed that coach Frank Reich also declined to discuss the 2022 standing of Wentz or any other player on the team's roster, but given the mixed returns in the signal-caller's first season with Indianapolis, it's not too surprising that endorsements from the franchise's GM and coach didn't arrive in the wake of a disappointing loss in Week 18 that eliminated the Colts from playoff contention. Per Stephen Holder of The Athletic, Wentz is under contract through 2024, but he points out that the key aspect of the deal is that next season is the final year with guaranteed money. In any case, there figures to continue to be speculation regarding Wentz' future with the team in the coming months, but contract deadlines, free agency and the NFL Draft remain future moving parts that will drive the narrative.