It’s never easy going from a starting role back to a reserve one but after a disappointing 2019 season from quarterback Jacoby Brissett, that’s exactly what the Indianapolis Colts are having him do.
Signing veteran Philip Rivers to a one-year deal meant pushing Brissett back to his backup duties like he was in during the 2018 season. Even though it can be tough to do so, head coach Frank Reich lauded Brissett on his handling of the situation.
“He’s a pro and he wants to do what is right for the team. He knows,” Reich said Monday. “He and I have had multiple conversations about that, but Jacoby (Brissett) doesn’t need me to tell him what to do. He knows what to do.”
Brissett will be a free agent following the 2020 season and while the Colts say they value him greatly, it is most likely that he walks when his current contract expires.
Reich has been in the exact situation that Brissett is in right now, which means the third-year head coach can give some valuable advice on how to handle a demotion like that.
“I’m his friend and I’m his coach so I try – I’ve been in his position to some degree. So do I try to lend an encouraging voice every now and then? Yeah, but he’s doing it the right way,” Reich said. “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 (Rivers) and this team. Jacoby will be a big part of our success.”
Though this is likely the final season Brissett is with the Colts, his job becomes very important as he’s next in line if something happens to Rivers.
Though his career in Indy has been through some hardships, Brissett has handled it like a pro.
