The Indianapolis Colts have turned up the heat at training camp throwing on the pads and getting physical as they prepare for the expected start of the 2020 season. One player who will likely do more watching than playing is rookie quarterback Jacob Eason.
With Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett taking the majority of the reps under center to begin the padded sessions at West 56th Street, Eason is doing all he can with his limited work on the field.
It is a challenge for the young quarterback, but he’s embracing the unique spot he’s in being able to work behind Rivers and Brissett.
“It’s a new and unique challenge. I’m very fortunate to be in this spot in the position I’m in. Like I mentioned before, I’m taking it a day at a time trying to learn everything I can, trying to compete every day and stay consistent. Really, we are going out here to practice, meeting and doing these things so often that for me it is taking it all in and trying to learn as much as possible to make myself a better player,” Eason told reporters Monday. “The competition part of it is great because it brings out the best in all of us and I’m really looking forward to these next couple days of practice and just continuing to get better.”
Eason also noted that working with most the third and fourth teams, he hasn’t gotten a chance to throw to the team’s top targets like T.Y. Hilton.
A fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft, Eason still has a lot of work to do before he’s game ready. Working behind Rivers and with head coach Frank Reich should help plenty while the Washington product gets used the game speed.
“I’m just taking it a day at a time. I noticed it from the first walk-thru that it is a little bit quicker than it was at the college level. I know guys are here, filtered through an even more fine process than they were in college. Everyone’s really good athletes, everyone is really smart,” Eason said. “So, the competition out there is awesome. I’m kind of taking it a day at a time trying to get better, stay consistent day in and day out and work on my self-progress. The speed of the game and all of that stuff is definitely faster than what I am used to, but I’m slowly improving on that.”
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eason will have to be ready to play in a moment’s notice. But the plans are for him to watch and learn behind Rivers and Brissett while adjusting to life in the NFL.