Colts GM cautions against anointing Eason as 'the next messiah'

When the Indianapolis Colts used a fourth-round pick on Jacob Eason, many wrote his name in ink as the team's quarterback of the future.

But general manager Chris Ballard isn't ready to slap that tag on the No. 122 overall selection.

"He has talent, but there's a long way to go," Ballard said of Eason, according to ESPN's Mike Wells.

"Like any of them, they have to earn it. Right now, he's competing with Chad Kelly. Philip Rivers and Jacoby (Brissett) are our first two (quarterbacks). Let's slow our roll a little bit in terms of tagging this guy as the next messiah walking into town. He was a fourth-round pick. We didn't move up to the first pick of the draft."

Rivers is expected to be under center in 2020 and has said he'd be open to returning for a second season in Indianapolis if all goes well. Meanwhile, Brissett and Kelly are only under contract for the upcoming campaign.

That could clear the way for Eason to be the long-term solution - something Ballard believes is possible with proper development. "Jacob has talent," the GM said. "He has to work and he has to earn it."

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