Colts hoping to find their version of Jalen Hurts in NFL Draft

Unsurprisingly given the background of new head coach Shane Steichen, the Indianapolis Colts are searching for a QB with skills and qualities familiar to the former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator. 

Speaking with reporters at the NFL Combine on Wednesday, Steichen mentioned Eagles QB Jalen Hurts several times when asked what the Colts were looking for in their next signal-caller. Steichen said the organization was searching for a quarterback prospect with the type of dedication and leadership Hurts has displayed in Philadelphia, adding that the Eagles' signal-caller would arrive at the team's practice facility at six in the morning and wouldn't leave until almost 10 at night. 

"That's what it looks like," Steichen said via the team's Twitter account. "You want to play in this league for a long time and be successful? You've got to have that mindset every single day that I'm going to give it everything I've got and give it everything I can."  

There could potentially be several quarterbacks in this year's draft that check those boxes, with Bryce Young and the athletically-intriguing Anthony Richardson among the prospects who could fit the bill. When it comes to evaluating QBs, Steichen noted that "[a] lot of these guys are going to be talented, they're going to be able to throw it, they're going to be able to run, but what's that edge separates them?"  

On Wednesday, Indianapolis hired a new quarterbacks coach in Cam Turner, who previously worked alongside Kyler Murray with the Arizona Cardinals and Cam Newton with the Carolina Panthers. The Colts currently hold the No. 4 overall selection for the 2023 NFL Draft.