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Indianapolis Colts: Who will be Andrew Luck’s backup in 2016?

By Nick Ziegler

Jan 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; (Right to Left) Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Andrew Luck (12), back up quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, quarterback coach Clyde Christensen, back up quarterback Matt Hesselbeck, back up quarterback Josh Freeman(5) and back up quarterback Ryan Lindley (3) all gather together for a photo at the end of their game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Tennessee Titans, 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; (Right to Left) Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Andrew Luck (12), back up quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, quarterback coach Clyde Christensen, back up quarterback Matt Hesselbeck, back up quarterback Josh Freeman(5) and back up quarterback Ryan Lindley (3) all gather together for a photo at the end of their game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Tennessee Titans, 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts had a very disappointing 2015 after a few very good seasons, and they are looking to right their wrongs.

One of the reasons for the poor season for the Colts was a down year for Andrew Luck. In his young career Luck has seen a lot of success already, but last season was a forgettable one for the former first overall pick. In 2015, Luck totaled just 1,881 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes, and 12 interceptions.

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Last season, Luck battled some injuries which resulted in him missing nine games last season. Without Luck, the Colts were able to keep their playoff hopes alive mainly because of their backup quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck.

Nov 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Andrew Luck (12) Charlie Whitehurst (6) and Matt Hasselbeck (8) shown on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Andrew Luck (12) Charlie Whitehurst (6) and Matt Hasselbeck (8) shown on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Prior to joining the Colts in 2013 to be the backup quarterback to Luck, Hasselbeck was a very good quarterback, mostly for the Seattle Seahawks. In his time with the Seahawks, Hasselbeck totaled a 69-62 record, 174 touchdown passes, 128 interceptions, three Pro Bowls, and one trip to the Super Bowl.

Nobody expected the injury to the franchise player last season, but when Luck went down, Hasselbeck stepped right in for the Colts. Last season, Hasselbeck started in eight games and was able to have a winning record at 5-3.

Last season, Hasselbeck was extremely solid after barely playing as the backup to Luck in years past, as he totaled 1,690 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. The Houston Texans ultimately won the AFC South, but Hasselbeck did a very good job as the backup quarterback to keep the Colts in the mix.

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Hasselbeck is going to be 41 years old next season, and even though he was good for the Colts last season, it appears they don’t have any interest in bringing him back next season. If the Colts decide not bring back Hasselbeck, it is possible that he could retire.

With a void at the backup quarterback position, the Colts could be going with Josh Freeman as the backup to Luck in 2016. Freeman has had a very interesting NFL career so far, as the former first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has looked like a franchise quarterback at times, and then has looked like a player that doesn’t belong in the NFL at other time.

In 2010, Freeman appeared to be one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL at the times, as he led the Buccaneers to a 10-6 record, and totaled 25 touchdown passes with just six interceptions. The following season, Freeman played pretty poorly, as he totaled 16 passing touchdowns and 22 interceptions, and the Buccaneers understandably had a 4-11 record with him as the starter.

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After his time with the Buccaneers ended in 2013, a short stint with the Minnesota Vikings didn’t go well for Freeman, who didn’t win a game in four starts with the Vikings. It looked like Freeman was on his way to being out of the league for good after not playing anywhere in 2014, but the Colts added him last season.

In his one and only start of the season, Freeman was victorious with the Colts, as he totaled 149 passing yards and one passing touchdown in a victory over the Tennessee Titans. The audition last season may be good enough for Freeman to be the backup to Luck in 2016, and as last season showed for the Colts, a backup quarterback is important.

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