Colts: OC’s latest comments are bad news for Jack Doyle

The Indianapolis Colts OC has a lot of confidence in a tight end whose name is not Jack Doyle.

As of now, Trey Burton is behind stalwart Jack Doyle in the Colts’ tight end room.

But based on what we’re hearing from Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, it’s clear that Burton, who will be acting similarly to the way Eric Ebron fit in once upon a free agent whim, will be the inflection point for this offense in 2020.

What that means for Doyle and his slightly bloated contract, we can’t say.

When asked about Burton’s expected role, following his reunion with Frank Reich, Sirianni revealed that he’d be the hinge that allowed the entire offense to flow.

"“Really excited to have him knowing how much he can create mismatches and how good of a route runner he is and how good of a playmaker he is. You can’t have enough playmakers and Trey is definitely a playmaker. He’s going to really let – a lot of things are going to flow, be really good in this offense because of Trey Burton.”"

Doyle’s three-year, $24 million extension was signed a bit prematurely, based on his 2018 production, featuring only six games on the field. If Burton emerges as more than just a flex option, and the offense starts to flow better with him breaking downfield, then is an expensive Doyle really Indy’s best blocking option?

It’s tough to plan out the Colts’ depth chart moving forward without a quarterback, of course. Philip Rivers is an excellent stopgap, and could maybe evolve into a two- or three-year starter.

Long-term, though, we can’t mold Indy’s offense around whoever fits best with Rivers. Sirianni’s got the ball in his court, and he’s got big plans for Burton.

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If the offense flows better this way, then it will be very difficult to justify paying Year 3 of Doyle.