In the fantasy world inhabited by Colts owner Jim Irsay, Ed Reed would be the perfect player for the Colts to pick up, not just as a safety but as a wide receiver and kick returner.
In the real world inhabited by Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson, that’s not going to happen.
Irsay, who’s been known to break big news on Twitter, teased his followers on Wednesday afternoon with a tweet that suggested that the Colts could acquire Reed and have him play wide receiver, safety and have some role as a kick returner.
ColtsFans...Ed Reed signs,goes to WR,with limited special packages for WR plays; backs up safety n plays some role n return game/Yes-no?
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) November 13, 2013
But the Colts and every other team passed on Reed on waivers today, and according to multiple reporters, including Chris Mortensen of ESPN and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Colts have no interest in signing Reed in free agency.
There was a time when Reed was the best safety in the NFL, and a time when he was so dynamic with the ball in his hands that he really would have been able to contribute as a receiver or returner. (Reed is the NFL’s all-time career leader in interception return yards.) But at age 35, Reed doesn’t do much anymore. It’s no surprise that the people Irsay hires to make the football decisions are not interested in signing Reed.