The NFL world was stunned this week when Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay announced that head coach Frank Reich had been fired. It was such a confusing decision. He’d had a winning record in three of his first four seasons with the team, making the playoffs twice—all that while navigating Andrew Luck’s retirement and a revolving door at quarterback. A 3-5-1 start to the season was the final straw, it seems. People have struggled to figure out where things went wrong. It seems Justin Fields is part of it.
That might confuse a lot of people. What does the Chicago Bears quarterback, who has never played against the Colts, have to do with this? Albert Breer of the MMQB obliged with some fascinating details. One source of frustration for Irsay was Reich and GM Chris Ballard’s timidity at taking swings for quarterback help. They had a chance to acquire Matthew Stafford last year from Detroit but refused to give up a 1st round pick.
Then there was the Fields missed opportunity.
“And when Indy went after Wentz, they chose to trade a 2021 third-rounder and ’22 first-rounder, rather than trading up for Ohio State’s Justin Fields (who was a very real consideration for Ballard and Reich early in the process). The Colts wound up using the 21st pick to take Michigan pass-rusher Kwity Paye, while the Bears used the 20th pick to move up and take Fields.
We’ll see how history winds up looking at all of that. But if there’s a regret for Reich, I’d imagine it’s in how he and the Colts opted for half-measures in three straight post-Luck offseasons, rather than finding a guy (be it in the draft in 2020 or ’21, or with a vet like Stafford) to go all in on.”
Did Justin Fields’ record-setting day push Irsay over the edge?
Think about it. On the same day the Colts’ offense had 121 offensive yards total in a loss to New England, Fields set the single-game rushing record for a quarterback with 178 yards. There were also the three touchdown passes. Everybody across the NFL is suddenly raving about Fields. That had to enrage Irsay knowing the Colts had a chance to get him, and refused to pull the trigger. They settled for Wentz, who was gone after one season. Then they settled for Matt Ryan, who got benched two weeks ago.
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Ballard’s unwillingness to pay the price tag and Reich’s assurances he could win with Wentz and Ryan proved fatal. Things might’ve been so different if Justin Fields were on that roster. Imagine him playing with Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman, and Alec Pierce. That could’ve been fun to watch. Now the Colts are entering quarterback hell for the first time in over two decades. Chicago can sympathize. It’s not a fun place to be.
Mac Jones was available as well and after the good year he had in New England last year, why didn’t Irsay dump his GM & Coach last year after that?
Let’s say I disagree with the article.
Irsay is getting what he deserves … reminds me of the boob owners of the Cardinals!
Really?
I doubt it. The Bears are losing with Fields as their QB. At this point Fields is the best running back the Bears have…
This is the dumbest thought process – EVER
If true then why not fire the GM too? Hmmmmm