Jacob Eason, Washington Huskies, (photo by PaulHamaker via Wikimedia).
The Seattle Seahawks have a new backup quarterback, and it’s a local kid. I always thought Jacob Eason left a lot to be desired based on how “great” some claimed he was. However, I do believe Eason is an NFL quarterback with the proper tutelage.
If you had asked me to name a coach that could develop Eason, Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich would be near the top of that list. Which makes how Eason’s career to date played out the way that it did all the more absurd.
Once Andrew Luck quit on the Colts, they were left with practically nothing. Jacoby Brissett proved to be a serviceable backup QB who could be more if greatness surrounded him. Philip Rivers signed the following off-season and did well. Eason was drafted in a COVID crazy year and was the third-string quarterback.
Third-string quarterbacks get about as many reps in practice as the fans. Then this year, with the sudden retirement of Rivers and Brissett saying he was out, Eason had his opportunity for more. That was mostly squashed when the Colts traded for a broken-down Carson Wentz.
Then Wentz had foot surgery, and it looked like he’d miss Week 1 and possibly more. Eason did everything expected of a backup QB. However, the Colts make their first misstep. They give rookie third-stringer Sam Ehlinger first-team reps, explaining that he earned them.
Ehlinger does what he does best, make quick, accurate, short-rhythm throws to medium distance. He struggles with anything beyond 15-yards down the field. Eason and Ehlinger had typical rookie preseasons.
Subsequently, the Colts invite Brett Hundley (Bret FREAKING Hundley) to come to camp. Their reason was that he’s a veteran NFL quarterback. In Hundley’s six years of experience, he has 11 total touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions in 337 pass attempts. When Hundley played, he proceeded to show what everyone already knew about him.
However, the Colts didn’t get rid of him. They loophole Ehlinger’s preseason injury into a reason for going on injured reserve. Indy started the year with three passers. They list Eason as the direct backup to Wentz and Hundley in the role of third-string quarterback.
When Wentz got hurt, in Week 2 (shocker), against LA, it thrust Eason into the highest of stakes. He entered with 2:18 left in the game, Indianapolis down three points on their own 25-yard line and only one timeout. This situation isn’t easy for most NFL quarterbacks. Let alone a rookie making his NFL debut.
Misstep number two. This was Eason’s first taste of NFL experience, and he overthrew TE Jack Doyle for a game-sealing interception on his second NFL pass attempt! The exact opposite of setting your players up for success.
If the Colts had rolled with Hundley in this situation and then, after the game came out, said, “Putting Eason in, in that situation would be a great disservice to him. As it is an extremely difficult situation to succeed in.” I think most fans would have agreed with this to a certain extent. Subsequently, the follow-up question would be to ask why Eason is the backup.
Initial thoughts are that Eason might be making his first NFL start. Subsequently, this would be a road game against division rival Tennessee. All while the team is 0-2 and searching for its first victory of the year.
As game day slowly approached, the conversation of Hundley getting playing time grew louder. Misstep number three. The Colts team starts putting together a game plan utilizing both Eason and Hundley. When was the last time you saw an NFL team create a game plan using two quarterbacks?
For Indianapolis, the answer is when Chuck Pagano was the head coach and both Andrew Luck and former Seattle Seahawks legend Matt Hasselbeck out for the year. Indianapolis faced off against Tennessee, with Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley under center. Miraculously, winning the game. Pagano is also the coach who called one of the most bizarre trick plays in NFL history.
So, to almost repeat history is baffling for this current Colts regime, whose narrative is they are smarter and better than Pagano and Ryan Grigson. The only reason the Colts didn’t repeat history is that they decided a human with two severely compromised ankles is a better idea.
After Indianapolis predictably loses to Tennessee, the Colts had enough nerve to say Eason is still their backup QB, and they think very highly of him. Really? Their actions didn’t back up those pretty words.
So, after two series of so-called NFL experience, the Indianapolis Clowns, I mean Colts, waived Eason. Players talk, and potential draft picks see this kind of thing and consider it when talking to the team around draft time.
Might the next quarterback the Colts try to draft, remember how those before him were treated, and tell the organization, “If you draft me, I’m not playing for Indianapolis. Instead, I’ll play professional baseball.” Meanwhile, Eason is the Seattle Seahawks’ newest backup quarterback.
What do you think about Jacob Eason signing with the Seattle Seahawks? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.