I'll bite here, but with the following caveats: I don't know that I see a bunch of teams willing to take that big a risk on a guy who likely won't even be ready come week 1. I get that Achilles injuries aren't the DEATH sentence they were once upon a time, but they're still serious. For that matter, to return briefly to Richardson in all this, his eye injury may be a potential road block to a trade that the Colts are comfortable with because you just don't know with an orbital bone injury. Secondly, I don't know what Taylor's contract situation is, so im assuming you've got him for at least the next three years.
In the scenario you present, it likely differs because of Ballards feeling of relative job security, which can't be all that great. If you are a secure Ballard (or a 1st year GM) you likely consider patience. Maybe you just roll with Leonard and see what happens: he was at least competent at the end of the year and if you go 4-13, eh, you tool up somehow for next year. If you are a desperate Ballard, which I think is the reality (and honestly, the Gardiner trade seems to imply that he is indeed desperate that was VERY un-Ballard like), I think you take a big swing. I would agree on Willis being option #1, so the rest of this is pure unadulterated JUST FOR FUN... you've been warned.
First, what about Derek Carr? He jas said he only would come back for a contender, and I don't think its a massive stretch to make the case that the Colts AREN'T a contender. Elite RB, elite TE, maybe not an elite WR corps, but more than serviceable (even assuming Pierce would leave with Jones), and i would say an elite offensive line with an above average defense competing in the AFC South, which is an "uneven" division at best. Plus, youre playing for Steichen, who while may not be a "QB whisperer," but is certainly well respected. Think of it this way: David Carr or Kyler Murray if I'm desperate to make the playoffs and a possible run? To me its Carr and its not particularly close.
Now for the stretchiest of all stretches: what if the Texans were ready to move on from CJ Stroud? Again, I don't LOVE Stroud, but is he better than any of the guys you listed? Probably. I think the Texans still have him under contract, so you'd have to give something up, but the Colts are fairly deep on the offensive line, a place of need for the Texans. Again, this is more than a pipe dream, but if you're Ballard and youre desperate do you at least pick up the phone?
Again, those two, Carr and Stroud, are purely for giggles. If its not Jones/Leonard, Willis is the most logical option and the one I would hope we'd go with. All that said, because I'm a Colts fan and I've seen this movie before, if Jones does walk watch Ballard sign Cousins and we rinse/repeat 8-9 or 9-8 and finish a game out of the playoffs and be right back at square one...
Me too. Ive been told its "a show about nothing" so I guess I'm not sure what im missing?