Colts owner prefers rookie QB over former MVP?

There's yet another indication that the Indianapolis Colts won't pursue Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson. 

In a piece published Wednesday, The Athletic's Zak Keefer explained that Colts owner Jim Irsay prefers grabbing a potential franchise quarterback in this year's draft over acquiring Jackson.  

"The owner wants the draft-and-develop route, preferring the chance to grow his own while capitalizing on the financial flexibility a young quarterback’s contract affords the team," Keefer wrote. 

Keefer added: "The Colts aren’t ruling anything out, not yet, but deep down, Irsay wants his team to find its next quarterback in the draft." 

Keefer offered his update after NBC Sports' Peter King said earlier this week that the Colts could be "interested" in negotiating with Jackson "if the guarantees weren’t stupid" as it pertains to the signal-caller's reported contract requests. It's widely believed Jackson wants more fully guaranteed money than the guaranteed $230M Cleveland Browns starter Deshaun Watson received last year. 

The Colts possess the fourth-overall choice in this year's draft. In a mock draft updated on Tuesday, ESPN's Todd McShay predicted that Indianapolis will move up to pick No. 3 to take Florida Gators product Anthony Richardson.

"It seems like there’s going to be a great prospect there," Irsay said about getting a quarterback with the fourth pick. 

Irsay insisted the Colts will choose a rookie who "fits" what new head coach Shane Steichen is "looking for" from the position. 

While Irsay plans to watch film on the top quarterbacks in this year's draft class, he said that Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard will "come to him with their decision" on their choice. From there, Irsay's "will be the final stamp of approval." 

Assuming the Colts truly are out on Jackson, it appears the one-time NFL Most Valuable Player may have to either spend the 2023 season with the Ravens on the non-exclusive franchise tag, lower his asking price to sign a long-term deal or hold out through the summer in a last attempt to receive the amount of fully guaranteed money he wants from his current employer before Week 1 in September.