The Indianapolis Colts have several objectives on the docket this offseason but in the event that veteran left tackle Anthony Castonzo retires, the list of priorities will change immediately.
While Castonzo contemplates his future in the league, the Colts have made it clear they want him back. A key piece to the offense, head coach Frank Reich wasn’t sugarcoating his desire to have the 31-year-old return for the 2020 season.
“We just made no bones about it, ‘We want you as our left tackle. We are going to respect you and your decision to think about what you want to think about, but there is no one else we envision being our left tackle,'” Reich told reporters Monday.
While the Colts must address the quarterback position in addition to adding depth to the wide receiver room and interior defensive line, Castonzo’s retirement would move all of those down the list.
Should Castonzo follow the path of his best friend Andrew Luck into retirement, the Colts would need to drop everything they are doing to find a left tackle. Le’Raven Clark would be the next man up, but he is slated to be a free agent once the new league begins.
Even with that, Clark hasn’t shown any inkling of being a successful tackle in the NFL—let alone having to fill the shoes of a veteran that is coming off of arguably the best season of his career.
“We think he had an unbelievable year. I think he is the best left tackle in the league, I really do. I mean I think this guy is a stud player,” Reich said. “I think he had his best year of his career and I am looking forward to hopefully getting him back.”
It will be interesting to see what happens with Castonzo and his decision, but the Colts are adamant they want him to return to his post on the blindside.