Colts give undrafted free agent quarterback Kedon Slovis bonus money

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts almost always make a significant financial investment in at least one undrafted free agent.

This time it’s a quarterback.

Indianapolis gave BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis $30,000 in guaranteed money to sign, adding an intriguing name to the battle for the third quarterback role behind starter Anthony Richardson and primary backup Joe Flacco.

Former sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger has been the team’s third quarterback for the past three seasons.

But the Colts wanted to give Slovis a look, and they paid a little extra to make sure they got him, one of two quarterbacks Indianapolis signed after the draft. The Colts also signed Kansas quarterback Jason Bean.

Slovis has an intriguing history.

The quarterback began his college career as the starter at USC, and he turned in a spectacular freshman season, completing 71.9% of his passes for 3,502 yards, 30 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.

He struggled to reach those heights again.

Slovis played solid football as a sophomore during the COVID-19-altered 2020 season, then fell off in 2021, throwing 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. Forced to look elsewhere when Caleb Williams transferred from Oklahoma to USC, Slovis played one season at Pittsburgh, completing 58.4% of his passes for 2,397 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

With one year left, Slovis finished up at BYU, completing 57.5% of his passes for 1,716 yards, 12 touchdowns and six picks. A pocket passer, Slovis does not have remarkable arm strength, although he has plenty of experience.

Bean, on the other hand, is a dual threat, a remarkably fast quarterback who can do some things with his feet.

Both Slovis and Bean might have a tough time unseating the experienced Ehlinger as the team’s emergency quarterback. Not only does Ehlinger have three seasons under his belt, the former Texas star started three games during the lost 2022 season.

But Indianapolis will likely need a few extra arms on the roster this season, considering that Richardson will be somewhat limited as he returns from shoulder surgery, and that might give the Colts a chance to get a long look at Slovis and Bean.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts give undrafted free agent quarterback Kedon Slovis bonus money