Colts: Quarterbacks coach provides promising update on Jacob Eason
By Jerry Trotta
Colts QBs coach Marcus Brady had some strong words for Jacob Eason in his latest assessment of the rookie signal caller.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers bought himself another couple weeks of time as the starter with his clutch performance in the team’s thrilling come-from-behind win over Cincinnati last Sunday.
The 38-year-old threw for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns and was instrumental in Indy’s comeback efforts. To say that Rivers needed that vintage display under center would be an understatement, as he came into the matchup on the heels of a putrid display in Week 5 against the Browns, when he tossed two interceptions and continuously folded when faced with pressure in the pocket.
Following that game, some folks in the media were understandably calling for Rivers to lose his job. While some were champing at the bit to see 2019 starter Jacoby Brissett get the nod, others were lobbying for rookie Jacob Eason to make his NFL debut.
The Colts obviously kept the faith in Rivers and there’s no reason to think that won’t continue if he delivers another dismal performance. However, fans in Indianapolis will still love to hear the latest update QBs coach Marcus Brady provided on Eason. Per Brady, the 2020 fourth-round pick is “much further along” in his development than the last time we received an update and “can make every throw on the field.”
https://twitter.com/LockedOnColts/status/1319034105690869760?s=20
"“Jacob is going to learn a lot from being in our offensive unit meetings and he is going to learn a lot being out at practice and getting work,” head coach Frank Reich added. “But the most mental development – this is at least with my experience as well – was being in the quarterback room with just the quarterbacks hearing the thought process from a player’s perspective all the time.”"
Eason has literally done nothing but impress the Colts’ coaching staff both during the virtual offseason program and training camp, when the strength of his right arm even took Rivers by surprise.
The fact that Eason’s continuing to do so behind the scenes while working as Indianapolis’ third-string quarterback should really ease the minds of fans heading into next year. After all, barring any transactions, the Washington product will be the only QB under contract for the Colts upon the conclusion of the 2020 season.
https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1316797386296037376
Are we implying that Eason will be the starter next year? Absolutely not. The Colts obviously think highly of him, but thrusting him into the starting role on a team that will likely have playoff aspirations with zero previous experience is risky business.
However, assuming Indianapolis trades for or signs a gunslinger in the offseason, fans can definitely expect the 22-year-old to be promoted to the backup job in 2021. That should be viewed as a tremendous accomplishment for a fourth-round pick who essentially had a redshirt year this season.
In the meantime, Eason will continue polishing his craft and soaking up knowledge as a third-string emergency option.
