Stephen Holder | IndyStar

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ORLANDO – Jacoby Brissett’s arrival in Indianapolis last September gave the Colts a viable alternative to struggling starting quarterback Scott Tolzien during Andrew Luck’s absence.

The Colts had a 4-11 record with Brissett as their starter, but his skill set was evident in spite of all the problems around him and his own deficiencies as a quarterback.

And that is why Brissett has grabbed the attention of many around the NFL, where starting quarterbacks have been difficult to come by. Brissett, according to a league source, generated two recent trade offers to the Colts from other teams. Indianapolis, the source said, declined those overtures and wants to keep Brissett in-house because of his value to the franchise. The identity of the teams inquiring about Brissett's availability were not revealed.

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At a time when the likes of Case Keenum are signing two-year, $36 million contracts, the Colts seemingly understand the importance of the player who will be Luck’s backup should the franchise player return to the field in 2018. Their reaction to the offers reinforces what the Colts have said about Brissett since they acquired him in a trade with New England just before the start of the 2017 regular season: That they want him on the roster to be Luck’s long-term backup — or at least for the foreseeable future.

The Colts have Brissett under contract for 2018 and 2019 at the modest price that comes with his status as a third-round pick still on a rookie contract. Brissett will earn $735,076 for 2018 and is scheduled to earn $890,114 in 2019.

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Brissett, 24, threw 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Colts last season.

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