[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Kray007

Right now, his $35 Million cap hit for 2023, looms above us like a modern day sword of Damocles. His retirement or a trade would chop that number to a much more palatable $6 Million.

The ideal, of course, would be for Matt to hang up his spurs and ride off into the sunset. I, however, don’t see that happening. Apparently, Matt believes he still has a few good years left in his trusty right arm.

So, we trade him. The problem is that that’s easier said than done. $12 Million of his 2023 contract is guaranteed, and it might well serve as a poison pill in any trade negotiations.

So, if I’m running the team, I pick up the phone and make someone an offer they can’t refuse. I give them Ryan and a 3rd round pick in 2024 in exchange for a 7th round pick in this year’s draft. I know it’s a nutty idea, and the league might not/probably wouldn’t greenlight that kind of deal. But, the season’s over, the bleak times have arrived, and I have a lot of time to indulge silly fantasies.

Why would the Colts do this? Just eat the $18 million dead money, get the $17.2 million cap savings, trade up for Stroud, and you're paying about going rate for the QB position in the NFL, maybe even slightly under market for 2023. No draft capital required.