INDIANAPOLIS — Head coach Frank Reich endorsed Jacoby Brissett days after owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard openly contemplated upgrading at quarterback.
“He’s our guy,” Reich said. “Jacoby knows he has to earn everything. Chris and I are talking all the time, how do we improve the team. Every player on the team is evaluated. Every person on the team is evaluated. … Like Mr. Irsay said the other day, with the quarterback, if there is a road to travel down that decision will involve (all three) of us.”
Brissett is entering the final year of a two-year, $30 million deal he signed when Andrew Luck abruptly retired in August 2019. Brissett started out strong, but the Colts finished 7-9 with losses in seven of the final nine games.
“We’ve got to win our division. The AFC South is a very strong division,” Reich said. “As far as expectations, our biggest focus is the process. The lockerroom. The culture.”
Irsay hinted Sunday during a press conference that Luck might be leaving the door open to return.
Reich said on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine he talks to Luck regularly and believes the door is closed, locked and the keys are gone.
“I don’t sense anything into that. He’s retired,” Reich said. “I knew a couple of days before everyone else. No inkling. I think everyone knows Andrew is wired a little bit different. In that respect, not a surprise.”
One of many quarterback doors that might open is in Jacksonville. On Tuesday, general manager Dave Caldwell said the Jaguars are open to having Gardner Minshew or Nick Foles as their starter. Foles is in the second year of a four-year, $88 million contract. Minshew is entering his second season in the NFL and head coach Doug Marrone said the team still needs to “see more.”
“Nick Foles is a proven commodity, he has a lot of football left,” Reich said. “There’s something unique about him as a competitor. He’s a fierce competitor.”
–By Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media
