Colts agree to terms with Jack Doyle

Big news coming out of Indianapolis tonight, as the Colts have made it official: they have agreed to terms with Jack Doyle on a new contract. NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reports that it’s a three-year deal worth $19 million with another $2 million in incentives.

Doyle was the top free agent from the Colts this offseason that they would need to re-sign, but there hadn’t seemed to be much progress yet on any new deal. What changed is unclear and terms of the contract are currently unknown, but it’s the first re-signing that Chris Ballard has made - and it’s the biggest one he could have made.

In four years with the Colts, Doyle has played in 63 games and started 21 of them, catching 94 passes for 793 yards and eight touchdowns. In his first three years with the team Doyle was a very good backup, but he stepped up into a much bigger role in 2016 as he started 14 games and caught 59 passes for 584 yards and five touchdowns. He was the second-leading receiver for the Colts in both receptions and yards behind only T.Y. Hilton, and he quickly became a very trusted target for Andrew Luck. Considering Doyle’s durability, his receiving ability, and his blocking ability, there was little doubt about the fact that he was the team’s best tight end last year. He’s also a beloved member of the locker room and very well-liked, so this re-signing fits in with Ballard’s emphasis on the locker room.

The local kid has emerged as a very good player for the Colts, and it was important they be able to keep him around. They’ve done so, and it’s a great first big move for Chris Ballard with the Colts.