NFL: The Best Fit for Reggie Wayne Is…

By Russell S. Baxter | Jul 18, 2015

Just when you thought we had seen the last of the seventh-leading pass-catcher in NFL history, 14-year pro Reggie Wayne appears to be in the hunt for a job in 2015.

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Not many passes slipped through his fingers in his years with the Indianapolis Colts, but he dropped quite the hint on Friday at the Indiana Black Expo to Eric Cox of WRTV in Indianapolis.

“Ideal is playing one more year and hanging it up,” said Wayne to Cox (via Twitter), who totaled 1,070 career receptions with the franchise that made him a first-round pick in 2001.

Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne (87) runs after a catch prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Wells of ESPN.com also stated on Friday (also via Twitter) that teams have been in contact with the prolific wideout, who became an unrestricted free agent in March when the Colts opted not to re-sign him. Instead, a team that already had pass-catchers such as wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief as well as tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener opted to add 12-year wideout Andre Johnson. The 12-year pro totaled 1,012 career receptions with the Houston Texans before being cut loose by that club this offseason.

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So where does that leave Wayne, who has seen him once-steady play affected by injuries the past two seasons?

The six-time Pro Bowler has totaled 102 catches for 1,282 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games since 2013, missing 10 contests over that span. In 2012 with rookie quarterback Andrew Luck at the helm, Wayne hauled in 106 passes for 1,355 yards and five scores. It marked the fourth time in six seasons the talented performer caught at least 100 passes.

As for a new home, how about signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars? In a bizarre way, it would fit what has been a strange offseason in the AFC South. We already mentioned Johnson joining the Colts. Keep in mind that the Texans have added a pair of former wideouts from the division in Cecil Shorts (Jaguars) and Nate Washington (Tennessee Titans). Wayne would feel right at home with a team he faced regularly while with the Colts.

May 28, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) l;eaves after OTAs at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

More importantly, it’s the Jaguars that would benefit in a big way. This is a team that has scored the fewest points in the NFL each of the past two seasons. Wayne could help second-year quarterback Blake Bortles as he aided Luck three years ago. Jacksonville’s young wideout corps that includes Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns would benefit greatly from the former Colts’ years of experience.

Yep, it’s safe to say that the addition of Wayne, be it by the Jaguars or any other club, would be quite the catch.

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