Colts have confidence in former Wolfpack QB Brissett

Andrew Luck's surprise retirement Saturday has thrust Jacoby Brissett into a starting role with the Indianapolis Colts

Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports

 NC State’s reputation as Quarterback U was enhanced even more Saturday night with Andrew Luck’s surprise announcement that he is retiring from football at the age of 29.

 His unexpected departure just two weeks before the start of the regular season thrusts Wolfpack alumnus Jacoby Brissett into the starting role for the Indianapolis Colts.

 It’s not an unfamiliar position for Brissett, who led State to bowl games in each of his two seasons in Raleigh. He started 15 games for the Colts in 2017 when Luck was rehabbing a shoulder injury and has taken the majority of snaps this preseason while the former No. 1 overall draft pick was sidelined with a foot ailment that ultimately led to the end of his career.

 Although Luck’s announcement came as a shock, especially since it became public while the team was playing an exhibition game against the Chicago Bears, Colts general manager Chris Ballard expressed his confidence in Brissett’s ability to lead the team.

 “We've got a good football team. This is a good football team. We're young, good on both fronts, (we have) some good young skill players and a good young quarterback in Jacoby Brissett,” Chris Ballard told Colts.com. “We're not gonna ask Jacoby Brissett to be Andrew Luck. Andrew Luck was a unique, unique player, but Jacoby Brissett is a winning football player in this league. Jacoby Brissett is a rare, rare leader. He is. He's a rare human being, man. That locker room loves Jacoby Brissett. They love him.”

 Luck also had complementary things to say about his successor, who didn’t see action in Indianapolis’ 27-17 loss.

As a @colts fan, I didn’t think it was possible to respect #AndrewLuck any more than I already did..but he proved me wrong. His comments abt the new starting QB @JBrissett12 ..WOW. I’ve NEVER heard this level of transparency from a world class athlete. Andrew, you’ll be missed. pic.twitter.com/N0bp3d72Do

— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) August 25, 2019

 “I hope I can continue to support him in different ways, so I’m thankful for our friendship,” Luck said in an emotional postgame press conference. “Coming back into the building, early last year, I was very jealous and resentful of this fun, happy dude that was in my spot as a quarterback on this team. I obviously did not have any confidence in myself, either.

 “I obviously could not have been more wrong in so many ways. He’s a lifelong friend, he means so, so much to me. He’s a big part of me having one of the most rewarding years of my life last year. I cannot wait to support him and see him lead this team. I’m excited for the future of the Colts, in large part because of Jacoby.”

 Brissett is one of five former State quarterbacks currently on NFL rosters, joining the Chargers’ Philip Rivers, the Seahwaks’ Russell Wilson, the Raiders’ Mike Glennon and the Bengals’ Ryan Finley.