After 17 seasons in the NFL, soon-to-be free agent quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is contemplating a return in 2016.
Appearing on the “Brock and Salk” show, the 40-year old said he is strongly considering going for one more season.
“I haven’t really made up my mind completely on it,” Hasselbeck said. “You have to kind of count the cost to what it would mean. What you’re saying ‘yes’ to and what you’re saying ‘no’ to. My kids are getting older, but all in all I would say that I’m strongly leaning toward playing again. We’ll see.”
Hasselbeck should have mentioned that he is getting older as well. He turns 41 just after the start of the regular 2016 season. Where Hasselbeck might play in 2016 is also up in the air. He is slated to become a free agent in March. Obviously, the Colts are a cozy fit for him and he did a remarkable job in filling in for Andrew Luck last season.
With Luck facing one injury after another in 2015, Hasselbeck started in eight games and earned a 5-3 record. During that stretch, the 40-year old managed to complete 60.9 percent of his passes for 1,690 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Eventually, the injury bug got the best of Hasselbeck, and by the season’s end we saw Charlie Whitehurst and Josh Freeman under center.
The Colts will have a healthy Andrew Luck back to start the season. However, keeping a veteran like Hasselbeck around, just in case, makes good sense.
Hasselbeck was an original sixth-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 1998. After a couple of seasons of minimal playing time with the Packers, he signed on with the Seattle Seahawks and started for 10 seasons. He then moved on to land with the Tennessee Titans for two years prior to his tenure with Indy.
If the Colts bring him back (providing he decides to stick around), it will mark his fourth year in Indianapolis.
And should the Colts have other plans, then Hasselbeck would make for one of the more reliable free agent backups for a team in need.