Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger comment on quarterback battle
Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger discussed the quarterback competition between them in preseason during postgame availability. Both quarterbacks are currently fighting for the backup quarterback position as Wentz is the projected starter for week one of the NFL season but could still miss regular-season time due to injury.
Sam Ehlinger on Jacob Eason
During Ehlinger’s post-game press conferences following their 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, he talked about the budding relationship between him and Eason.
“Jacob and I have a great relationship,” Ehlinger explained. “Competition just makes you better. We want what’s best for each other. We’re helping each other out with coverages, with defenses. We know that iron sharpens iron, that’s kind of been our mentality. It’s been great to be in a room with him.”
Ehlinger went on to speak about meeting Eason and what their focus was as teammates.
“We met a few times at the Steve Clarkson camp up in L.A. and got to know each other through that. It’s the QB fraternity, everybody kind of knows everybody. We spent some time together, went out to dinner in California,” Ehlinger stated on meeting Eason.
“With Carson [Wentz] going down, we want the team to win at the end of the day. It’s a very friendly competition. We’re making each other better, helping each other out… We’re just trying to help each other get better.”
Jacob Eason’s comments
Eason shared his mindset going into the competition.
“We had a team meeting… talking about focusing on an image. When you focus in on something you keep it small… nothing else really matters,” Eason said following his first preseason start on Sunday. “My focus was one day at a time, one rep at a time. Do my job consistently and not make the picture bigger than it has to be. Obviously, there’s a lot going on outside, but I just wanted to focus on the little things and do my job. I thought today was an opportunity to go do that.”
When asked again about whether or not head coach Frank Reich would play him more going forward, Eason explained he’s ready to do anything the team asks of him.
“If coach wants to play me, he’ll play me,” he said plainly. “If he wants to take me out, he’ll take me out. I’m not going to ask any questions, I trust our coaching staff. I have nothing but love for Coach Reich, so if he would have pulled me out it would have been his call. And he did ultimately keep me in and I was happy about that experience.”
First game of preseason
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 lead the comeback win.
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.
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