Yesterday, according to WRTV-6’s Dave Furst, former Indianapolis Colts wideout great, now turned free agent Reggie Wayne has reportedly received interest from four NFL teams in the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, and Green Bay Packers:
Here you go-among the teams showing interest in former #Colts WR Reggie Wayne: #Patriots #Ravens #Texans #Packers. Broncos have backed off.
— Dave Furst (@DaveFurst) July 17, 2015
However, make that 3 teams, as apparently the Baltimore Ravens can now be safely crossed off that potential suitor list per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley:
"“The Baltimore Ravens aren’t expected to pursue Reggie Wayne even though there’s a report linking the team to the former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver on Monday,” writes Hensley.“Team officials don’t consider wide receiver to be a pressing need entering training camp, and they don’t want to push down younger receivers such as Breshad Perriman, Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown or Michael Campanaro on the depth chart,” added Hensley."
For Wayne’s hopes of continuing his playing career, it’s a bit of a shame because the Ravens were one of the few teams that made the most sense. With just veteran Steve Smith and rookie Breshad Perriman, the Ravens could arguably use additional proven wide receiver depth behind them. Not to mention, they always remain a threat to make a deep postseason run, armed with head coach John Harbaugh, quarterback Joe Flacco, and a notoriously stingy defense.
Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne (87) against the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The 36 year old Wayne is no doubt one of the greatest Colts to ever play. He ranks not only 2nd all-time in franchise career receptions (1,070), 2nd all-time in franchise career receiving yards (14,345), and 2nd all-time in franchise career touchdowns (82), but also has the most Colts career games played (211) and most Colts career wins (143).
His 1,070 career receptions and 14,345 career receiving yards rank 7th and 8th respectively all-time among NFL receivers. Quite frankly, he’s one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history to ever lace them up.
However, he’s set to enter his 15th NFL season and is clearly in the twilight of his career. Wayne could potentially help a team as a sure-handed wide receiver and veteran mentor lower on the depth chart, but expecting much more than that would be fool’s gold.
While Wayne still managed to catch 64 receptions for 779 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns last season, he was clearly hampered by either age or injury, perhaps a combination of both. He failed to show much explosion or burst late in the season, as he only had 1 reception for 12 yards total in the team’s 3 playoff games.
Nevertheless, Wayne still apparently has the itch to play, at least for one more season. The question is whether the interest will be enough for #87 to don another uniform than that of the Colts blue he’s only ever known. The sole color that he’s proudly represented during a would-be 14-year future Hall of Fame career, all in Horseshoe Blue.
Update: Apparently, make that two teams to cross off:
Texans not interested in Reggie Wayne.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) July 20, 2015
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