Head coach Frank Reich updated the media on the Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition in a press conference following their preseason debut. While quarterback Carson Wentz is expected to start week one still after his return from injury, the backup role is still up for grabs. Rookie Sam Ehlinger from Texas and sophomore Jacob Eason from Washington have shared snaps with the starting roster in training camp.



<h2 id="h-updated-indianapolis-colts-quarterback-competition">Updated Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition</h2>



Ehlinger and Eason shared snaps at quarterback all throughout the first preseason game. While Eason started the game, it was Ehlinger who stole the show with a pair of drives in the fourth quarter to win the game.



Trailing 18-10 in the fourth quarter, Ehlinger led a 75-yard touchdown drive with a successful two-point conversion. After receiving the ball back with the score tied at 18, Ehlinger led another 66-yard drive resulting in a game-winning field goal as the Colts defeated the Carolina Panthers 21-18.



Reich spoke with reporters after the game <a href="https://fb.watch/7pmq2kF8BO/">in a press conference</a> and spoke about the importance of getting live practice in a game situation.



“It’s a big deal, getting the live reps,” commented Reich after the game. “And the other thing I thought they both handled is just the few times talking to them on the sideline, talking to them during the timeouts. Looking in their eye, feeling what they feel, and what I felt was good for both of them. You don’t get that in practice; you get that in a game. And then you see how they respond.



“And, you see some of the big-time throws. They both made big-time throws.”



Reich went on to explain what decisions went into the playing time for both quarterbacks today, sharing that the plan wasn’t originally to let Eason play the entire first half. Due to the way the time situation was in the first half when the Colts got the ball back, Reich decided to let Eason close out the half instead of forcing Ehlinger to make his first NFL drive in less than two minutes.



“I was going to go a quarter and a half, I was right in between and I let Jacob get one more. The first drive was going to be two minutes, and I wasn’t going to do that to Sam, even though he could handle it.” 



“It just played out, we’ll flip that up next week,” Reich stated about who will start in their second preseason game. “Probably let Sam go the whole first half. The plan will stay the same, right now the plan will be to play Sam the first half.



<h2 id="h-who-is-winning-the-quarterback-competition">Who is winning the quarterback competition?</h2>



Despite the late-game heroics of Ehlinger in game one of the preseason, Reich was sure to stress that they have not chosen a clear winner in the competition for Wentz’ backup yet. They are currently content to wait and see how the players shape up until Wentz returns, and they finalize their roster.



“We’re trying not to give a final grade just yet,” Reich explained. “We just want to give this the course to flow out… so just give this time. Don’t force a decision until it needs to be made. There’s plenty of reps to go in practice, in games. There’s no need to declare it 60-40. There’s enough reps that everybody’s going to get a lot. We’re always evaluating in what we like and what we don’t like. But no need to kind of force that decision just yet.”



Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

frank-reich-updated-indianapolis-colts-quarterback-competition

On3 Pros

5GOATs

Frank Reich updates Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition

team image

Pro News

NFL News

NFL Draft News

NASCAR

NBA News

NBA Draft News

Culture

Sports Betting

About

Football

Basketball

Women's Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Alabama

Arizona State

Arizona

Arkansas

Auburn

Baylor

Boston College

California

Removed

Clemson

Colorado

Duke

Florida

Florida State

Georgia

Georgia Tech

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Iowa State

Kansas

Kansas State

Kentucky

Lettermen Row

Lettermen Lounge

Louisville

Maryland

Miami

Michigan State

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi State

Missouri

NC State

Nebraska

North Carolina

Northwestern

Notre Dame

Ohio State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Ole Miss

The Main Board

Oregon

Oregon State

Penn State

Pittsburgh

Purdue

Rutgers

South Carolina

Stanford

Syracuse

Tennessee

Texas A&M

Texas

Texas Tech

UCLA

Utah

Vanderbilt

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Washington

Washington State

West Virginia

Wisconsin

BamaOnLine

BOL Round Table

Inside Texas

IT Members Only

DawgsHQ

Dawg Walk

Scoop Duck

Recruiting & Sports

AuburnSports

The Corner

WeAreSC

GarryP's Trojan Huddle

The Wolverine

The Fort

The Lions Den

The Wolfpacker

The Wolves’ Den

GatorsOnline

Swamp Talk

Alabama A&M

Alabama State

Albany

Alcorn State

Abilene Christian

Appalachian State

Akron

Army

Austin Peay

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Arkansas-Little Rock

Arkansas State

Air Force

Ball State

American

Wofford

Winthrop

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Wisconsin-Green Bay

Wichita State

Western Carolina

Volleyball

Gymnastics

Men's Lacrosse

Women's Lacrosse

Men's Soccer

Women's Soccer

Women's Track

Men's Golf

Women's Golf

Men's Hockey

Women's Hockey

Men's Swimming

Women's Swimming

Wrestling

Men's Tennis

Women's Tennis

Annual $1

Annual Premium

Annual $1 

Monthly

Annual

Unlimited Access to This and All Articles.

Article (On3 Plus Rivals)

Forum (On3 Plus Rivals)

Intro

Join

College scoop, experts, and community - all in one.

Winback

Confusion on who pays

Player Buyouts

Power struggle over CFP format

B1G-SEC

Dives into Alabama rivalry

Alex Golesh

Calls out coaches for Bediako

Jay Bilas

New judge link to Alabama hoops

Charles Bediako