NFL Draft 2023: Jim Irsay reveals Colts’ plans, praises Bryce Young; but don’t count out this top QB prospect

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said to hell with draft smokescreens in the Tuesday press conference introducing new Colts head coach Shane Steichen.

While Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard did their best to play their cards close to the vest, Irsay told the NFL world that the Colts will be drafting a quarterback in the first round of April’s NFL draft.

“Knowing that we’re going to have to find a young quarterback to develop is a key factor,” Irsay said of a main reason why the Colts targeted Steichen.

The former Eagles offensive coordinator has worked with Jalen Hurts, and Justin Herbert before that, when he was the Chargers OC in 2020. Steichen has a proven track record of developing young quarterbacks, and that helped him stand out in the search process for Indy.

But Irsay didn’t stop there! Without saying Bryce Young’s name, he offered up just how much he likes the Alabama quarterback.

“The Alabama guy doesn’t look bad, I’ll tell ya,” irsay said.

The Colts own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and they sit behind the Bears, Texans and Cardinals. Of those three teams, only the Texans would be drafting a quarterback at that spot. The Panthers, sitting at No. 9, is a team to watch as a potential trade-up.

Irsay mentioned the possibilities of trading up or staying put, which then forced Ballard — who was seated at the table along with Irsay and Steichen — to mention the possibility of moving back just to keep whatever remaining smoke alive in the Colts’ draft room.

While Irsay’s comments will no doubt bring a lot of attention to an Indianapolis marriage with Young, a league source warned against excluding Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud from…