Gardner Minshew is off to the Raiders: Here are 5 options to replace him as backup QB

The Colts are in need of a new backup quarterback.

Gardner Minshew is off to the Las Vegas Raiders after signing a two-year deal for $25 million with $15 million guaranteed, a league source confirmed to Indy Star.

Minshew literally cashed in on the chance to step in for an injured Anthony Richardson after signing a one-year deal worth $3.5 million at this time a year ago. Minshew started 13 games and won six of them to help the Colts to within a game of the playoffs. He finished with 18 total touchdowns and 15 turnovers.

This puts the Colts back in the market for a backup quarterback, which remains an important position with Richardson losing much of his rookie season to an AC joint sprain. He is still developing as a passer and learning the ins and outs of the league, and his playing style will invite some injury risk along the way.

The Colts do have Sam Ehlinger under contract for another season but could look to bolster the No. 2 spot. A few strong candidates are already off the board, as Tyrod Taylor signed with the Jets, Sam Darnold signed with the Vikings, Marcus Mariota signed with the Commanders, Jameis Winston signed with the Browns, Drew Lock signed with the Giants, Jacoby Brissett signed with the Patriots and Mason Rudolph signed with the Titans.

Here are five veteran candidates they should have their eye on:

Justin Fields

The boldest idea out there would involve a trade.

The Bears are reportedly shopping their starter from the past three seasons, as they have the No. 1 pick and are widely expected to spend it on USC quarterback Caleb Williams. It's made Fields expendable, though the market for him to find a starting opportunity has dried up quickly with the Steelers signing Russell Wilson, the Falcons Kirk Cousins and the Raiders Minshew.

The Colts were fans of Fields when he came out of Ohio State, back when the Bears traded up to make him the No. 11 pick in the 2021 draft. In three years, he's displayed some explosive rushing abilities with 2,220 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 6.2 yards per carry. His passing has left more to be desired, as he has averaged 7.0 yards per attempt, though it's come with constant change around him.

Fields' skill set would be a strong match to Richardson's, as the Colts could suddenly have one of the most athletic quarterback rooms the NFL has ever seen. It will cost draft picks of some sort, and though the market has softened with no apparent starting opportunities for Fields, Colts general manager Chris Ballard will have to decide whether a backup quarterback is worth key draft capital.

Tyler Huntley

If the Colts want a more mobile option behind Richardson, they could look to the man who has backed up Lamar Jackson for the past four seasons. Tyler Huntley has made nine starts plus a playoff start in that span. He's averaged just 5.5 yards per attempt, though the sample is small.

Huntley was most effective in his playoff start against the Bengals, when he completed 17 of 29 passes for 226 yards, two touchdowns and one interception to give the Ravens a chance to win. He was effective as a runner in 2021, when he totaled 294 yards on 6.3 yards per carry, though the production dropped off the next two seasons.

Still just 26, Huntley is not the flashiest option, but he might be the most durable and cost-effective among the running types.

Josh Dobbs

Last year was a rollercoaster for Josh Dobbs. He was traded from the Browns to the Cardinals, then suddenly became the Cardinals starter for eight games and a 1-7 start, then was traded again to the Vikings, where he had some early success by winning two games filling in for an injured Kirk Cousins. And a few weeks later, he was benched.

The 29-year-old has had a different kind of career, as last year's experiences brought him up to just 14 career starts, and he has a 3-11 record. He has struggled as a passer, throwing 15 touchdowns to 13 interceptions on 5.8 yards per attempt. But he has shown to be a very strong runner, namely on scramble plays, as he finished with 421 yards and six touchdowns on 5.5 yards per carry last season.

Dobbs has some experience and some mobility, which checks some boxes behind Richardson. He isn't the flashiest backup option but could be a fit as other players like him come off the board.

Joe Flacco

It seemed as if Joe Flacco was going to return to the Browns after last year's wild run to the playoffs, but they opted for signing Winston instead. That leaves Flacco as one unique backup candidate.

On one hand, he's 39 years old. He is the furthest player from Richardson as a runner. The scheme a team would have to build around him would be the opposite as it would be for a mobile player -- and yet that's the exact spot Cleveland was in last year after losing Deshaun Watson to injury.

Flacco was a true gunslinger, throwing 13 touchdowns to eight interceptions on 60.3% completions and a gaudy 7.9 yards per attempt. He was masterful at threading needles and even avoiding some pressure, but turnovers were also in the makeup.

Flacco has started 185 regular season games and 16 playoff games with a Super Bowl victory, so it's impossible to find more experience at this spot. He seems interested in still playing, but it's probably a one-year idea.

Jimmy Garoppolo

The Raiders haven't officially cut Jimmy Garoppolo yet, but it's expected to happen Wednesday, Dianna Russini of the Athletic reported. It's the domino created by Minshew's signing.

Garoppolo has fizzled out as a starting option but has shown more than capable enough play to be a trusted backup. The 32-year-old has started 63 regular season games and boasts a 43-20 record, thanks largely to operating the 49ers' loaded attack. His numbers are impressive while running Kyle Shannahan's system, with 8.2 career yards per attempt.

Garoppolo has started six playoff games, including a Super Bowl, but has seen his flaws emerge in these moments, as he has four touchdowns and six interceptions. However, that experience can be valuable if needed to step in for a playoff run as well as to add mentorship for Richardson, who has only started 17 games above high school and has yet to get to the postseason.

Garoppolo is not a mobile option, but he could operate an offense similarly to how Minshew did if called upon as a backup.

IndyStar Colts Insider Joel A. Erickson contributed to this story. Contact Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Gardner Minshew to Raiders: Here are options for Colts to replace him