Eason, who did not suit up for the Colts as a rookie in 2020, could see more opportunities in 2021 following Philip Rivers' decision to retire.
Eason didn't see any work in Indianapolis as a rookie, as Jacoby Brissett worked as the second-string option behind a healthy Rivers all season. Brissett is additionally scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, so at least for the meantime, Eason appears to have a realistic path to snaps in his sophomore season. Of course, it should be expected that the Colts' quarterback room will see additions this offseason, whether through the 2021 NFL Draft or free agency.
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Colts' Jordan Wilkins: Off COVID list
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The Colts activated Wilkins from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.
Wilkins missed Indianapolis' final two games of 2020 after being placed on list, but he's now eligible to return to the team facility. Over his 15 regular-season appearances in 2020, Wilkins logged 84 carries for 308 yards and a touchdown while also securing 12 of 16 targets for 105 yards.
Rivers announced Tuesday that he will retire from professional football, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. "It's just time," Rivers said.
The 39-year-old Rivers ends his 17-year career ranked fifth in NFL history in both passing yards (63,440) and touchdown passes (421). After a lengthy stint with the Chargers, Rivers helped lead Indianapolis to the playoffs in his lone season with the Colts, compiling 4,169 yards through the air and a 24:11 TD:INT. With Jacoby Brissett set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, 2020 fourth-round pick Jacob Eason is the only signal-caller on the Colts' books for the upcoming campaign, but expect the team to add reinforcements to the position via free agency, trade or the draft during the offseason.
Brissett and fellow Colts QB Philip Rivers both can become unrestricted free agents this offseason, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.
With Rivers healthy for the entire 2020 campaign, Brissett's main contribution to the Colts was subbing in for some short-yardage plays. He scored three short rushing TDs and attempted just eight passes, never really getting a chance to rebound from his disappointing performance over 15 starts in 2019. While he's unlikely to find a team that wants him in a starting role, Brissett should at least be recognized as one of the better backup QBs, and he might even be a fallback plan for the Colts if Rivers isn't brought back.
Alie-Cox closed out the 2020 season catching 31 of 39 targets for 394 yards and two touchdowns through 15 games.
After his third campaign with the Colts, Alie-Cox will be a restricted free agent this offseason on the heels of career highs in receptions, targets and yards. His snap count has steadily increased along the way, but he had to contend with Jack Doyle and Trey Burton for work at tight end. Having said that, Alie-Cox had more receptions than both of his accomplished position mates this year. Burton's contract expires after the season, while Doyle is signed through 2022, so Alie-Cox may only have to vie with the latter for reps next fall, assuming the Colts decide to bring him back.
GM Chris Ballard said that Campbell (knee) will be "a valuable member of [the Colts] moving forward" and called the 23-year-old's recent injuries "bad luck," George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.
Ballard made clear that Campbell remains in good standing with Indianapolis' coaching staff despite having begun his career with back-to-back injury-plagued seasons. Campbell flashed a bit of his tantalizing upside against Jacksonville back in Week 1, securing six of nine catches for 71 yards, but he suffered what proved to be a season-ending knee injury after playing just two offensive snaps the next game. After undergoing October surgery to address both MCL and PCL injuries in his left knee, Campbell's next task will be returning to full health in time to begin the Colts' offseason program. With T.Y. Hilton scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, Campbell is facing prime opportunity to secure one of Indianapolis' top receiver spots alongside Michael Pittman for 2021.
Mack, who ruptured his right Achilles' tendon in Week 1, is slated to become a free agent this offseason, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Though GM Chris Ballard didn't rule out bringing Mack back in 2021, he acknowledged that the running back, who has worked hard to recover from his injury, "deserves a good contract. I don't know if we are going to be able to do that here." In Mack's absence this past season, Jonathan Taylor established himself as the Colts' top back, while Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins worked in change-of-pace/complementary roles. The trio remain under contract with the team next season.
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Colts' Philip Rivers: Facing uncertain future
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Colts GM Chris Ballard plans to speak with Rivers in February, Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports.
Ballard believes Rivers can still play, but it isn't clear the quarterback will want to stick around for another season, nor is it clear the Colts want him back. The 39-year-old put up respectable passing stats in 2020, but he offers nothing as a runner and is well past his prime, so the Colts might shift their focus to finding a younger QB. The team should have a better idea before free agency begins in March.
