Google News Colts growing on rookie quarterback Sam Ehlinger
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Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich has revealed that Jacob Eason will start the team's preseason opener but that he will split reps with rookie quarterback Sam Ehlinger. "Against the Panthers in the game [on Sunday], I won't try to split like that," coach Reich said, per ESPN.
"We'll just let one guy go. Jacob will probably start and Sam will probably come in whenever." The Colts traded for 2016 No. 2 pick Carson Wentz this offseason but he underwent a foot surgery earlier this month and he will likely miss the start of the season.
"Competition is great," Eason said. "Every position has competition, especially in training camp. In the quarterback room we have a great relationship, but we're always competing. Competition brings better result. I'm all about it." Ehlinger, who was selected in the sixth round of this past NFL draft, is showing promising signs in practice.
"Sam plays really smart, he has really good instincts," Reich said. "Very quick on his feet. Accelerates his vision, good progressions, has a knack. Certainly athletic and can make plays with his feet ... Sam has been really good, solid every day.
It's fair, it's right. By switching those, you don't feel like you're losing much with Jacob getting reps with the twos. More about getting Sam an opportunity." Wentz showed up to practice to cheer for his teammates. "Very encouraging," Reich said.
"Joked with Carson in 7-on-7, said 'You're up.' Good to have him back out there."
The Colts not trading for Nick Foles
Super Bowl champion Foles is now the third-string quarterback for the Chicago Bears. After Wentz got injured, some thought the Colts would try to bring in Foles.
"Listen, Frank Reich is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, coaches of all time. He understands me as a player,” Foles said, per Total Pro Sports. “He understands me as a person. But you know, I haven’t had any talks with them.
I’m a Chicago Bear right now. But he knows me, he understands. "In this league, I don’t want to go to someone that I don’t know. I don’t want to … Listen, great coaches, when you have a great coaching staff, it’s something special.
A big reason we were great in Philly was we had a great coaching staff. They put us in a position to succeed, and it showed. Everyone can say it showed. That being said, I don’t want to just go somewhere where I don’t know ’em, I don’t know the offense. I’ve gone down that road before, and it’s not fun."