Frank Reich updates Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition

Head coach Frank Reich updated the media on the Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition in a press conference following their preseason debut. While quarterback Carson Wentz is expected to start week one still after his return from injury, the backup role is still up for grabs. Rookie Sam Ehlinger from Texas and sophomore Jacob Eason from Washington have shared snaps with the starting roster in training camp.

Updated Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition

Ehlinger and Eason shared snaps at quarterback all throughout the first preseason game. While Eason started the game, it was Ehlinger who stole the show with a pair of drives in the fourth quarter to win the game.

Trailing 18-10 in the fourth quarter, Ehlinger led a 75-yard touchdown drive with a successful two-point conversion. After receiving the ball back with the score tied at 18, Ehlinger led another 66-yard drive resulting in a game-winning field goal as the Colts defeated the Carolina Panthers 21-18.

Reich spoke with reporters after the game in a press conference and spoke about the importance of getting live practice in a game situation.

“It’s a big deal, getting the live reps,” commented Reich after the game. “And the other thing I thought they both handled is just the few times talking to them on the sideline, talking to them during the timeouts. Looking in their eye, feeling what they feel, and what I felt was good for both of them. You don’t get that in practice; you get that in a game. And then you see how they respond.

“And, you see some of the big-time throws. They both made big-time throws.”

Reich went on to explain what decisions went into the playing time for both quarterbacks today, sharing that the plan wasn’t originally to let Eason play the entire first half. Due to the way the time situation was in the first half when the Colts got the ball back, Reich decided to let Eason close out the half instead of forcing Ehlinger to make his first NFL drive in less than two minutes.

“I was going to go a quarter and a half, I was right in between and I let Jacob get one more. The first drive was going to be two minutes, and I wasn’t going to do that to Sam, even though he could handle it.”

“It just played out, we’ll flip that up next week,” Reich stated about who will start in their second preseason game. “Probably let Sam go the whole first half. The plan will stay the same, right now the plan will be to play Sam the first half.

Who is winning the quarterback competition?

Despite the late-game heroics of Ehlinger in game one of the preseason, Reich was sure to stress that they have not chosen a clear winner in the competition for Wentz’ backup yet. They are currently content to wait and see how the players shape up until Wentz returns, and they finalize their roster.

“We’re trying not to give a final grade just yet,” Reich explained. “We just want to give this the course to flow out… so just give this time. Don’t force a decision until it needs to be made. There’s plenty of reps to go in practice, in games. There’s no need to declare it 60-40. There’s enough reps that everybody’s going to get a lot. We’re always evaluating in what we like and what we don’t like. But no need to kind of force that decision just yet.”

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