INDIANAPOLIS -- For the Indianapolis Colts, it's officially the Jacoby Brissett show at quarterback for the rest of the season.
No longer is there thinking that Brissett will remain at quarterback for just a week or two, or a month until Andrew Luck returns. This is Brissett's offense now that the Colts have officially shut Luck down for the season because of soreness in his shoulder.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard said he doesn't regret waiting until right before the start of the season to acquire Brissett from the New England Patriots, despite knowing there was a possibility Luck could be sidelined longer than expected.
"We're always gauging the market, we're always evaluating players, and we're always evaluating the quarterback position because we know it's important," Ballard said. "Just signing a player doesn't mean it's the answer. We saw a couple guys that we liked that we tried to work some things out with, it just didn't work. But going and spending an inordinate amount of money just to feel good in that moment, just for the fans to feel good in that moment, for us to feel good in that moment so we can lay our heads down -- that doesn't mean you're going to win on Sundays. That doesn't guarantee success.
"We just said we were going to have patience. It worked out in our minds because we like Jacoby Brissett. It worked out that way, but I think sometimes you make panic moves and you just go sign somebody to sign somebody, and that's not always the answer."
The final eight weeks will add to the previous seven of auditioning that Brissett has already done since taking over the starting role from Scott Tolzien in Week 2. If all goes well, this could be a win-win situation for Brissett and the Colts.
A strong performance by Brissett the rest of the season could help his trade value next spring if the Colts try to move him because they're in a rebuilding mode and need draft picks. There's also the uncertainty regarding Luck's return, and what type of quarterback he'll be once he does. The Colts know they could still potentially turn to Brissett if needed next season.
Brissett has thrown for 1,642 yards with five touchdowns while completing 60.4 percent of his passes this season.
One of Brissett's issues -- other than continuing to learn the offense -- has been his four interceptions. Two of the four have been returned for touchdowns, including one that cost the Colts the game against the Cincinnati Bengals last week. He had one on the first play of overtime that also cost the Colts against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.
Brissett has to make sure he moves past those mistakes and doesn't let them linger.
"I wouldn't say it's easy," he said. "Just something you have to do. You play quarterback and you're getting the snap the next time you're under there, so you have to be ready to go."
The coaching staff and Brissett's teammates consistently talk about his mental toughness and ability to not let things linger -- traits he needed in order to bounce back from being sacked 10 times in Week 7. The Colts will need more of that from Brissett during the final eight games of the season.
"He's just got it," coach Chuck Pagano said recently. "He's been through circumstances. Had an upbringing that has wired him and formed his core values and who he is as a man and as a competitor and a player. He's the first guy in here on Monday, charged and ready to go. That's just how he's wired. Credit his mom, and he's got two older siblings. He's had great mentors and coaches -- a high school coach that's brought him along and mentored him. He's a stud. He's tough."