Kerry Collins signed with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday, ending a retirement that lasted less than two months. The 16-year NFL veteran was needed in Indianapolis with starting quarterback Peyton Manning still ailing from offseason neck surgery.
Kerry Collins Signs With Indianapolis Colts, Not Retiring After All
Collins announced his retirement on July 7, via a statement from his agent, but Colts owner Jim Irsay announced on his Twitter account Wednesday that his team has agreed to terms with the veteran quarterback.
The other options at quarterback for the Colts prior to Collins' signing were Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky and Matt Hartline, but it seems that the Indianapolis front office has decided it would feel more comfortable with a more experienced quarterback in place if Manning is unable to go for Week 1 -- an increasingly likely possibility.
Collins started seven games for the Tennessee Titans last season, throwing 14 touchdowns compared to just eight interceptions, but he retired after the season because he didn't want to commit to preparing for the upcoming season at the time.
“The past several months have brought much introspection, and I have decided that while my desire to compete on Sundays is still and always will be there, my willingness to commit to the preparation necessary to play another season has waned to a level that I feel is no longer adequate to meet the demands of the position.”
It isn't clear what made him change his mind, but the Colts probably couldn't have went out and found a better veteran signal-caller on the open market, aside from Brett Favre, whom Irsay may or may not have visited last week.
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