Like every NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts need to trim their roster to 53 players before the regular season begins. Will Sam Ehlinger make the cut?
During training camp and preseason, the former Texas Longhorn will compete for Indy’s emergency third quarterback spot. It wouldn’t be surprising if he secures his place on the roster, but it also wouldn’t be shocking if he is outperformed by others.
Former Big 12 Star’s Spot on Colts’ 53-Man Roster in Jeopardy
Sam Ehlinger’s Football Journey
Sam Ehlinger excelled at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, breaking school records previously held by NFL quarterbacks Drew Brees and Nick Foles.
Ehlinger then played at the University of Texas, where he threw for 11,436 yards and 94 touchdowns over four seasons. He earned MVP honors in the Sugar Bowl and Alamo Bowl and was named Second-team All-Big 12 in 2020.
The Colts drafted Ehlinger in the sixth round (218th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. In his first preseason game, he led Indianapolis to a 23-18 comeback win over the Carolina Panthers and later secured the No. 2 QB spot behind Carson Wentz.
During the 2022 season, Ehlinger backed up Matt Ryan as the Colts went 4-12-1. He started three games, losing all, but showed promise in his debut against the Washington Commanders, completing 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards. However, he struggled against the New England Patriots. Last season, Ehlinger played behind Gardner Minshew without starting any games.
Will Ehlinger Make the Colts Roster?
Two Colts quarterbacks are locks for the roster: Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco. Richardson, the fourth overall pick in 2023, is returning from a season-ending shoulder injury. Flacco will be his primary backup, replacing Minshew, now with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The competition for the third QB spot includes Sam Ehlinger and rookie undrafted free agents Kedon Slovis and Jason Bean. Despite being undrafted, both rookies have a fair chance of making the roster.
Slovis, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year at USC, and Bean, the Guaranteed Rate Bowl MVP from Kansas, are both highly athletic. Slovis ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, the fastest among quarterbacks. Bean rushed for 1,342 yards and 14 touchdowns at North Texas and Kansas, also seeing time at wide receiver and running back.
Slovis and Bean’s athleticism could make them ideal backups for Richardson in Shane Steichen’s offense. However, Ehlinger’s NFL experience and familiarity with Steichen’s system could help him retain his spot on the roster. The competition will be intense, and the outcome remains to be seen.
