Jack Doyle embracing increased leadership role with the Colts

Jack Doyle has made the most of his opportunities in the NFL so far in his career, signing as an undrafted free agent out of college and working his butt off over the past few years, ultimately now winding up as the Colts’ number one tight end after signing a three-year, $18.9 million contract this offseason.

Despite his rise in the NFL, he’s not letting it go to his head. “I think he’s still driving a Pinto or something,” Chuck Pagano said last week.

Doyle has become a fan favorite and one of the most respected and well-liked players in the Colts’ locker room, as he has embodied everything that Chris Ballard, Chuck Pagano, and the Colts want to be about. He’s a hard worker who has earned his way and done things the right way both on and off the field.

He’s already proven his ability to play at a high level from the tight end position, and that’s why he received a new contract from the Colts this offseason. But with Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen now both gone, Doyle realizes that he’ll need to take on more of a leadership role.

“Yeah, definitely the role will expand in some way, shape or form,” Doyle said. “Just trying to be more of a leader in the tight end room and on the offensive side of the ball is something I’m trying to do and get better at.”

It’s not his first time in a leadership position like this, however, so it’s something that comes naturally to him.

“Yeah, I’ve done it before,” he said. “In college, I was a three-time captain, that type of thing. I’ve had to lead before. I didn’t feel like it was necessarily my role early in my career but definitely now. I’m trying to do more things to improve in that area and help the team.”

Considering Doyle’s impact and reputation in the locker room it seems he’s already been earning somewhat of a leadership reputation, but he hasn’t before been looked at as ‘the leader’ of the tight end room. The Colts traded Dwayne Allen away this offseason, however, which leaves Doyle as that guy now for the Colts.

If Doyle just keeps doing what he has been doing and what earned him this spot in the first place, I don’t think he’ll have any trouble filling that leadership role. Most players are more than willing to follow and learn from a guy who works incredibly hard and has earned everything in the NFL (it hasn’t been given to him), and that’s Jack Doyle.