Carson Wentz injury: Colts' best quarterback trade and free-agency fits, led by Nick Foles and Jimmy Garoppolo

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz is going to miss five to 12 weeks after having surgery on his foot. This is a wide range of time, and it means he could be back for the team's regular-season opener or not until midseason. Depending on how long it takes -- and whether a setback happens that makes it longer -- the Colts might need to go out and get some help at the position.

They already signed Brett Hundley late last week, but that was before they knew how much time Wentz was likely to miss. Hundley joins a quarterback room that is light on experience, with 2020 fourth-round pick Jacob Eason and rookie sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger the top options. "The job is Jacob's right now," Reich told reporters on Monday.

It's possible Indianapolis could find itself surveying the landscape of available quarterbacks, via free agents or through a trade. Here's a look at some of that landscape, should they decide to go that way.

Nick Foles, Bears

Foles' $4 million guaranteed salary is steep but not outlandish. He is a Super Bowl winner. And he'd low-key love to collaborate again with Frank Reich, who was the Eagles' offensive coordinator when Foles took them to Super Bowl LII. In fact, Foles had interest in going to the Colts before the Chicago-Jacksonville deal in 2020.

Chicago would gladly deal Foles if it finds a taker. But do the Colts really want to insert Foles back into Wentz's life? The Eagles built a statue for Foles while Wentz was still with the franchise. It might compromise Wentz's fresh start.

Gardner Minshew II, Jaguars

This seems like a nonstarter since he plays in the AFC South. But he's incredibly cheap ($850,000 salary), has 37 touchdown passes in 20 career games and wouldn't require much draft capital to acquire; a fifth-rounder probably gets it done.

Minshew wants a chance to compete, which he won't get in Jacksonville, where Trevor Lawrence is the anointed one. Minshew hasn't gone the trade-me nuclear route, but maybe the Jaguars will do that for him.

Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers

This only really makes sense if (a) Wentz's timetable gets longer and (b) rookie Trey Lance wins the starting job in San Francisco. But we're likely a long way from finding out the likelihood of either of those scenarios, let alone both.

There's a growing sense, at least for now, that San Francisco is comfortable with Garoppolo starting and Lance learning from the sidelines for a year. And it's doubtful Indy wants anything to do with Garoppolo's $24.1 million salary for part-time work.

Josh Rosen, 49ers

A far more likely 49ers quarterback to be available, Rosen was a first-round pick just three years ago, and there's no way he'd cost a lot to acquire. Maybe some time spent in Kyle Shanahan's program has restored some of the luster?

Jacoby Brissett, Dolphins

This would be a dream stopgap for Indy, which started Brissett for 30 games from 2017 to '19 with modest results.

But Miami, which signed Brissett to a one-year, $5 million deal this offseason, needs him as insurance for Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins would need a good draft pick to make this happen, and Indy values draft picks more than just about anyone.

Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos

The Broncos sent a sixth-round pick to Carolina in April to acquire Bridgewater. If they are comfortable with Drew Lock starting, maybe they could flip Bridgewater for a higher pick thanks to Indy's urgency.

Carolina is still on the hook for much of Bridgewater's salary, so the Colts could have him for $3 million. And hey, if Bridgewater wins the starter's job in Denver, maybe they could get Lock instead.

Marcus Mariota, Raiders

There was a point early in the offseason when it looked almost certain that Mariota would be traded out of Las Vegas. When the Raiders couldn't find a market for him, they reworked his contract to make it more tenable and keep him on the team for 2021. Could the right offer entice them back into the trading frame of mind?

Joe Flacco, Eagles

Flacco is still kicking around, but if Nick Mullens wins the backup job in Philly behind Jalen Hurts, Flacco is an extremely seasoned vet who could find himself on the market.

Cam Newton, Patriots

This is similar to the situation with Garoppolo in San Francisco. Newton could become available late in the offseason if rookie first-round pick Mac Jones wins the starting job in New England.

Philip Rivers, free agent

It doesn't hurt to call down to Alabama, where Rivers is getting ready to make his high school coaching debut. Rivers led Indy to 11 wins and a playoff berth last season despite waning arm strength. He announced his retirement in January. Who cares if he hasn't worked out in months? He can still outsmart defensive backs. Rivers, though, seems happy in retirement.

Blake Bortles, free agent

Just cut by the Packers last week after Green Bay's prodigal starter returned, Bortles is one of the most experienced quarterbacks on the street free agent market.