The Indianapolis Colts are in the market for a new backup behind Andrew Lucky and Jacoby Brissett. The team announced on Friday that it has released second-year quarterback Brad Kaaya.
The University of Miami product surprised evaluators in 2017 when he elected to declare for the NFL draft despite possessing one year of remaining NCAA eligibility. Long forecasted as a potential first-round pick during his days in Coral Gables, Kaaya was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round, with the draft's 215th overall pick. Eight other quarterbacks came off the board ahead of him.
Kaaya's career got off to an inauspicious start when he was waived by Detroit after his first NFL training camp. He was subsequently claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers, who released him five weeks later. Kaaya spent the remainder of his rookie season back with the Lions, playing the role of scout-team quarterback as a member of the practice squad. Indianapolis plucked him from Detroit in late December 2017, and he spent the ensuing offseason training with the Colts. Kaaya was placed on injured reserve before the season began, though, most likely due to him losing a battle to Phillip Walker to be the team's third-string quarterback.
Quality depth behind Luck is crucial for the Colts. Though he returned after missing all of 2017 to throw for 39 touchdowns and 4,593 yards last season, the franchise signal-caller's injury history makes it prudent for Indianapolis to have a solid backup in place. Brissett, signed through next season, fits that bill, and the team obviously believes enough in Walker to forge ahead with him as its lone emergency quarterback.
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