LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Jacob Eason #10 of the Washington Huskies looks to pass against the Boise State Broncos during the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Washington won 38-7. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Jacob Eason is a member of the Indianapolis Colts after his draft-day slide came to an end, and he could be their starting quarterback come 2021.
The Indianapolis Colts ended Jacob Eason’s wait to be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft and, despite being a fourth-round pick, he could be the starting quarterback as early as next year.
Eason has the prototypical size for the position and arguably the biggest arm in the entire class.
He displayed consistent accuracy during his impressive sole season with Washington after transferring from Georgia. However, he lacks the mobility to make plays with his legs and there was considerable concern over his decision-making.
By joining the Colts, he lands with an excellent mentor to help him iron out those issues in his game. The Colts signed Philip Rivers this offseason and, given the success he has enjoyed as a guslinger unafraid of throwing interceptions, Eason should greatly benefit from the former Charger’s tutelage.
It may be a short learning period for Eason. Rivers was only brought in on a one-year contract and it is not clear whether he will be in the league beyond the 2020 season.
Last year’s starter Jacoby Brissett is also a free agent in 2021 and Eason’s arrival will likely lead to talk of the ex-Patriot being traded to a quarterback-needy team.
Even after waiting until round four to hear his name called, Eason finds himself in a situation where he may be taking snaps under center come Week 1 of the 2021 season.
The Colts are a superb fit for the former Husky. In head coach Frank Reich they have one of the more talented offensive minds in the NFL and Eason will have the benefit of playing in a dome eight games a year.
Indianapolis has also assembled an intriguing supporting cast, with Michael Pittman — an imposing and athletically impressive physical presence on the outside — joining T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell in the Colts’ receiving corps.
The combination of Jonathan Taylor and Marlon Mack gives the Colts an extremely exciting running back duo to take the strain off the quarterback.
It was a long wait for the Eason but he has to be extremely satisfied with the end result. Eason has a clear path to starting early in his career and, should he take over as QB1, will do so with a supporting cast set up to have him succeed.