Following a strange season that saw a change at quarterback, the Indianapolis Colts watched their passing attack falter just about every week during the second half of the regular season.
While a new commitment to the run aided the decline of the passing game, the massive step back had more to do with the quarterback under center and the injuries that befell most of the skill positions.
Even so, the Colts had one of the worst passing games in the NFL. Head coach Frank Reich told Colts.com what areas they need to improve upon in 2020.
“I think we need to have more chunk plays, be able to take advantage of a good running game and get good play-action game to get these chunk plays down the field, and then we also need to be more efficient. I think just higher-percentage completions,” Reich told Matt Taylor. “I think in third down and in red zone I think our passing game needs to get better, but was in winning range. But certainly a lot of improvement needed.”
It was a tough year for the Colts’ passing attack. Jacoby Brissett looked competent under center during the first six games of the season (albeit with some question marks) but then regression hit him hard during his final eight games—not including the Pittsburgh matchup.
An MCL sprain likely played a part in his decline as did the many injuries that overcame the tight end and wide receiver position. However, Brissett didn’t help himself when it came to pushing the ball downfield and throwing with a lack of anticipation.
Improving the entire passing game won’t be an easy task. Even if they bring in a rookie from the 2020 NFL Draft to supplant Brissett, there will be some bumps in the road.
Regardless, the Colts will have some serious improvements to make if they want the offense to being approaching where it was during the 2018 season when they made it to the AFC divisional round of the playoffs.