A formerly dominant Indianapolis Colts tight end is calling it a career.
Former Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl tight end Eric Ebron has announced his retirement from the NFL.
The Detroit Lions drafted Ebron 10th overall in 2014 from North Carolina. While there were some sparks, Ebron never lived up to his first-round expectations with then-quarterback Matthew Stafford. However, Ebron erupted in a Colts jersey alongside Andrew Luck in 2018.
The former first-round pick enjoyed his only Pro Bowl season and one of the best seasons by a Colts tight end. That year, Ebron had 66 receptions (110 targets) for 750 yards (11.4 average) and 13 touchdowns. These were all easily career-bests.
Ebron dialed down after 2018, but he concluded his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ebron finished his NFL career with 106 games, 351 catches (559 targets) for 3,837 receiving yards (10.9 average) and 33 touchdowns.
Fast forward to 2024, and the Colts lack anything like what Ebron offered to the tight end position. Mo Alie-Cox was with Ebron in 2018, but he is an experienced blocker with limited receiving ability. Kylen Granson and Will Mallory have been virtually absent, while Drew Ogletree resembles Alie-Cox.
It will be intriguing to see what Shane Steichen plans to do with the tight end position in 2025, given that the once-promising Jelani Woods has been on contract for the previous two years without playing. Anthony Richardson can employ a weapon at tight end, and the Indianapolis brass is aware of this.
