I understand your viewpoint, but I don’t know that the Brissett extension was consistent with Ballard’s general philosophy that you get the best out of your players through healthy competition and rewarding those who have performed. Up to the point of the extension, the Colts had certainly talked Brissett up a lot, but he hadn’t really proven himself on the field yet. He had a year to go before free agency, and as a third round pick he hadn’t earned the really big $$ yet, so he would have had a natural incentive to max out his performance. By giving him an extension and paying him a lot of money, you reduce that incentive. As far the need to boost his confidence, well, I hope that wasn't the case because if so it should have been a flaming red flag to the Colts.

Now, there’s no question the Luck retirement threw everything into disarray, and forced the Colts to scramble and make decisions they wouldn’t have made otherwise. Signing Brissett to a one-year extension was one of them, and if he had performed well this last season it would have been considered brilliant. Sort of a balance between capping their costs if Brissett plays well vs. limiting their downside if he doesn’t. So going back in time to the Luck retirement, I get the strategy and don’t fault the Colts or Ballard all that much – it was a difficult situation for sure, and at least they didn’t do a long term deal.

I guess my ultimate point is that even though the decision did not turn out as well as the Colts had hoped, I give credit to Ballard to recognize this fact and to be willing to move on even if it paints his decision on the Brissett extension in a bad light. If Brissett is not the guy for the job, then stubbornly forcing the issue would only destroy another season.

There was no need for the extension. If he outplayed it and wanted 30 mil, let someone else pay it. There are plenty of other stop-gap options.

Rivers just gives them a better chance over all. He is a better QB and is experienced (even though he is definitely on the decline). Also Rivers knows the offense already. He won’t have to learn anything new, maybe take a refresher. But he will also be able to hit the ground running as opposed to say a Carr. Remember, every thing is shut down. We may be looking at a season with no OTA’s, no mini camp, etc.

Rivers has been a turnover machine, but his line has sucked for years and he is constantly under pressure. He should be able to settle down under our line.

A thing about Jacoby. I think he looked a lot better in camp. The guy they gave that contract to was definetely not the guy we saw in the second half of the season. I think that second half of the season scared the coaching staff and front office. And is why they decided to go the FA vet route, plus Rivers familiarity with the system.

Peyton was on a decline the year the Broncos won the Superbowl. Rivers is nowhere near the QB that Peyton was but if he can play good enough when its needed and if Ballard can finish filling the holes around him... why couldn't the Colts win a SB with Rivers?

We know that Ballard isnt finished. Could he be finding a suitor to trade Brissett to
?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.ind...amp/2863610001

If it’s the Pats, the price should be about two firsts.

It was reported today that Ballard had a Plan B cooking at the same time. The Colts were also discussing a trade for Nick Foles. Checks many of the same boxes as Rivers - familiarity with Reich, knows the offense, etc. Apparently the talks between the Colts and Jacksonville had progressed to the point of discussing draft pick compensation. Shows how much Jacksonville wanted to get rid of Foles contract to be talking with a division rival.


Edit: the Bears just traded for Foles. They are sending Jacksonville a compensatory fourth-round pick. Foles is going to restructure his contract.


https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ut-nick-foles/

I'm starting to think that they really really believed he was the guy, and that by locking him up for modest money now, it would become a genius move to have a franchise QB at that price. But it wasn't a genius move. Its Ok, you win some, you lose some.

Yeah, when I said that deep down everybody knew that JB couldn't replace Luck, I should have said 'everybody on this forum'. It's possible Ballard and Reich thought he could.

i dont believe ballard/reich ever thought he could replace luck. i do believe they thought he would make a bigger leap than he did.

They certainly believed in him enough to pay him another $20 million or so in guaranteed money for an extra season, when he was only scheduled to make about $2 million otherwise, so I think you're right. If Jacoby had played well, then as you said Ballard would have been hailed as a genius, not only for the contract, but also for managing to pluck Brissett from New England in the first place.