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Colts: Offensive Line Becomes Priority Again After Joe Reitz’s Retirement

By Kyle Nishida

Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Joe Reitz (76) prepares to block Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison (92) at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Joe Reitz (76) prepares to block Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison (92) at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Free agency began today, and at the same time, the Indianapolis Colts lost a member of their offensive line. Versatile offensive lineman Joe Reitz announced his retirement from the NFL.

Reitz announced his retirement via the team’s Twitter. In the video, he thanks the fans for their continued support of him over his seven-year football career.

Reitz played his entire career in Indianapolis. He switched back-and-forth between left tackle, right tackle and right guard. In fact, he started at all three spots at least once in 2015, which was the same season he started all 16 games. He held the starting right tackle spot in 2016.

At the surface level, the team has enough bodies to replace Reitz. Denzelle Good played right tackle before Indianapolis moved him to right guard in 2016. Also, Joe Haeg played guard and tackle last season. He actually started in place of Reitz for a bit in 2016.

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The potential to replace Reitz is there. Unfortunately, the Colts have not been very good at turning that potential into positive results.

Throughout 2016, Indianapolis had one of the worst pass blocking offensive linemen in the country. Quarterback Andrew Luck constantly got pressured and ended possessions on his back. In fact, he got hit so much that he needed shoulder surgery this offseason.

Reitz certainly had his flaws too, but he was one of the few offensive linemen that had extensive starting experience. With that in mind, that could force Indianapolis into devoting some resources to finding replacement in free agency or the draft.

Frankly, Indianapolis would be better off signing a middle-market guy in free agency rather than drafting a rookie. The rookie offensive line class does not have much top-end talent and very deep depth.

It is great Reitz got to quit football on his own terms. Everyone certainly wishes him the best in his future endeavors. However, his retirement makes the Colts’ questionable offensive line even more of a concern.

Next: Colts Unlikely to Make a Big Splash in Free Agency

It will be interesting to see how general manager Chris Ballard will address this recent shakeup in the Colts’ roster.

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