Some Indianapolis Colts fans were disappointed when Jason Bean was waived, but the team signed him to their practice squad after he went unclaimed off waivers.
Bean, a quarterback from Kansas, competed with Sam Ehlinger and fellow undrafted free agent Kedon Slovis for the Colts’ third quarterback spot. Ehlinger secured the job, while Slovis was waived and later joined the Houston Texans’ practice squad.
The Colts made a smart move by retaining Bean, even though he isn’t on the 53-man roster; the team might need him later on.
Why Keeping Jason Bean Was a Good Decision for the Colts
Jason Bean’s Career So Far
Bean played six seasons of college football, beginning at North Texas, where he scored 19 touchdowns (14 passing, five rushing) and threw for 1,131 yards over eight games in the 2020 season. He then transferred to Kansas for his final three seasons, leading the Jayhawks to a 9-4 record and their first bowl win in 15 years in his last year. In that bowl game, he threw for 449 yards and six touchdowns, helping Kansas beat UNLV 49-36 in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Bean finished the 2023 season with 2,130 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 280 rushing yards with three TDs.
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Colts signed the Texas native as a free agent. He impressed in the preseason, completing 15 of 19 passes (78.9%) for 197 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 53 yards (4.81 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. Despite this strong showing, he did not surpass Ehlinger for the third quarterback role.
### Why the Colts Should Have Kept Bean
Anthony Richardson is the Colts’ starting quarterback, having recovered from injuries that limited him to four games as a rookie. Joe Flacco, in his first season with the Colts, is set to be the primary backup.
Choosing Sam Ehlinger as the third quarterback is logical, given his experience in regular-season games and familiarity with coach Shane Steichen’s offense. However, keeping Bean makes sense too. He has the potential to be an impact player in the future, possibly as Richardson’s main backup or even as a starter.
While it might sound unlikely for Bean to become the Colts’ starting QB, sports often bring surprises. Consider Brock Purdy, who went from being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to leading his team to a Super Bowl in his second season.
Bean may not follow Purdy’s path, and he might never appear in a regular-season game, but he has the skills to be a solid professional player, capable of making plays with both his arm and legs. Additionally, he could thrive under Steichen, an offensive strategist known for developing talent.
Only time will tell, but for now, keeping Jason Bean looks like a smart decision by the Colts.
