He’s no Andrew Luck, but the Indianapolis Colts know that they have something good in Jacoby Brissett. Rather than letting him play out his contract, the Colts signed Brissett to a two-year, $30 million deal just days before the season. Brissett is a relatively unproven commodity, so some may be wary of that large number. However, this move makes perfect sense for both sides.
Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts Contract Makes Sense for Both Sides
Why It Works for the Colts
By just about every account, the Indianapolis Colts love Jacoby Brissett. Nobody knows if he can be the quarterback of the future, but the organization trusts him to be the quarterback of the present. Jim Irsay has refused multiple trades for Brissett, and that devotion paid off when Andrew Luck retired.
The Colts appear to believe that Brissett is capable of playing like a top-15 quarterback. If he does, then the Colts have saved themselves a fortune in the long run. Starting-caliber quarterbacks don’t hit free agency that often, and quarterback-needy teams will spend whatever it takes to get a starter. This past offseason, Nick Foles signed a four-year, $88 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even with his Super Bowl heroics factored in, nobody thinks Foles is anything more than a borderline top-20 quarterback. Brissett should be able to play at a Nick Foles level and would have been compensated accordingly. This new contract ensures that the Colts are getting value if Brissett plays at a top-20 level.
Even if Brissett can’t play up to Indianapolis’ expectations, this contract isn’t going to sink the franchise. This deal eliminates the final year of his rookie contract and keeps him in town until the end of the 2020 season. If Brissett doesn’t work out, the Colts can easily move on. Indianapolis has a ridiculous amount of cap space and can afford to keep Brissett’s contract and pursue another quarterback if they desire.
Why It Works for Jacoby Brissett
Fortunately, this deal also makes a lot of sense for Jacoby Brissett. The Colts quarterback initially entered the league as a third-round pick and didn’t get the massive signing bonus that early-round quarterbacks receive. Prior to his extension, Brissett has earned “just” $4.47 million in his first four years. This is obviously great money, but now he’s set for life.
Additionally, the short-term nature of this contract allows Brissett to make even more money if he plays well. The quarterback market grows exponentially each and every season, so Brissett has a lot to gain by not signing a longterm deal. Good but not great quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Jared Goff are going to sign for over $30 million a year in the near future. Brissett might not be able to reach that type of a payday, but there’s no reason to believe he can’t get at least $25 million a year if he plays well in 2019. If he’s a starting-caliber quarterback, somebody’s going to pay big money for his services.
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