The Indianapolis Colts brought back veteran safety Clayton Geathers one a one-year deal this week to provide some depth in the defensive backfield, but for a while it seemed he might have been moving on.
As the process developed, Geathers took two reported free agent visits with the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Colts were allowing the 26-year-old to test the market before making their final offer.
When it was all said and done, though, Geathers knew he wanted to return to Indy, a place he considers his home.
“Being in Indy for all four years – it was different. It was some good visits,” Geathers told reporters earlier this week. “I’m not going to really get into details, but everything went well and I just made my decision to be home – be back in Indy. We’ve got a great thing going.”
A leader in the locker room and captain on the field, Geathers has made a big impact during his time in Indy. However, injuries have kept him from reaching his full potential, which could be high in the Colts’ two-high defense.
The talent Geathers has is unquestionable. He’s an enforcer near the line of scrimmage helping against the run while also working well as a deep half safety next to 2017 first-round pick Malik Hooker.
Still, proving he can stay healthy is his main objective for the 2019 season.
“Personally, just want to stay on the field,” Geathers said. “Be healthy and prove all the doubters wrong.”
The Colts defense made strides during the second half of the 2019 season, and Geathers was a big part of that. The entire unit is looking to make improvements for the upcoming campaign, and the former fourth-round pick will be at the forefront of the charge in Indy.
Continuing what they started defensively is what ultimately brought Geathers back.
“Just to be honest, this building, the staff, the training room, my teammates, what Indy has to offer and just after last year,” Geathers said. “We were good. We had a good run. We’ve got unfinished business so I wanted to be a part of that.”
