Jacoby Brissett’s character is asset for himself, Colts

Jacoby Brissett is handling his new role as Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback with grace. It may serve both he and his team well.

After the Colts signed veteran quarterback Philip Rivers to a one-year, $25 million deal this offseason, Brissett was back to being an understudy after one season as the starter. In 2019, the Colts started hot at 5-2 but injuries — including to Brissett — ruined the campaign, leaving Indianapolis at 7-9.

Brissett’s final line was 15 games played, 2,942 passing yards with 18 touchdowns against six interceptions. A game-managing line for sure.

Now entering the final year of his current deal with the Colts, Brissett is backing up Rivers. Rivers hasn’t missed a game since becoming the San Diego Chargers’ full-time starter in 2006.

In short, Brissett is an enticing trade piece for a litany of teams should their starting quarterback get hurt between now and the late-October trade deadline. Partially because Brissett is a talent, partially because he’s only signed for this season, and partially because of his professionalism.

Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich spoke about the latter on Monday, per NFL.com:

“Just like you guys know he would. I mean, he’s a pro. He wants to do what’s right for the team. And he knows. He and I have had multiple conversations about that. Jacoby doesn’t need me to tell him what to do. He knows what to do. I’m his friend and I’m his coach, and I’ve been in his position to some degree. Do I try to lend an encouraging voice every now and then? Yeah, but he’s doing it the right way. We need him to be who he is this year for us to get where we want to go. Whether that means he ends up playing some games or playing a number of plays or even if he’s just there to support Philip and this team, Jacoby will be a big part of our success.”

For the Colts, being able to flip Brissett while installing rookie quarterback Jacob Eason as the backup is the smartest move. When a starter elsewhere eventually goes down to injury — and unfortunately, it happens every year — general manager Chris Ballard is in prime position to deal a good player with a limited future in Indianapolis to a team in desperation mode.

Brissett may be sitting now, but due to his talent and character, he won’t be for long.