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Report: Scott Tolzien visiting Colts

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein, Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien is visiting the Indianapolis Colts today.

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The Indianapolis Colts are in the market for a backup quarterback after Matt Hasselbeck retired (they were going to let him walk anyway) and after releasing Josh Freeman.  They had interest in Drew Stanton, but he re-signed with the Cardinals.  That has them continuing their search, and they have a potential backup option in house for a visit today.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein, former Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien is in Indianapolis visiting with the Colts on Thursday and Friday.  The Chicago Bears also have interest in Tolzien, according to Silverstein, though a visit has not yet been scheduled.

The Colts certainly need a backup quarterback option, as Stephen Morris is the only quarterback on the roster besides for starter Andrew Luck.  Bringing in a guy for Tolzien would be adding a backup to an important position - and we saw that value last year when Luck missed nine games.

Tolzien entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2011 out of Wisconsin and was signed by the San Diego Chargers, though he was released as a part of final roster cuts.  He was then signed by the San Francisco 49ers and was a third-string quarterback for a few years before being cut during preseason in 2013.  The Packers subsequently signed him to their practice squad and then activated him mid-season when Aaron Rodgers was hurt.  He has been a backup for the Packers for the past three seasons, but it seems they are moving on to Brett Hundley as their backup now.  In his career, Tolzien has played in six games and has started two, completing 56 of 91 passes (61.5%) for 721 yards (7.9 yards per attempt), one touchdown, and five interceptions for a passer rating of 67.1.  He has also added 52 yards and a touchdown rushing on eight carries.

In reality, the ideal situation for the Colts is to never have their backup quarterback see the field except in garbage duty due to a huge lead, but the unfortunate reality is that they need insurance in case Andrew Luck gets injured again.  They have Scott Tolzien in to visit today and tomorrow to see whether he could be that guy, and it could be that the team gets their backup quarterback sooner rather than later if they believe Tolzien can be their backup.