Tuesday 20 March 2018 08:23, UK
The Indianapolis Colts have signed tight-end Eric Ebron, the team announced on Monday.
Ebron, who spent three years at the Detroit Lions, signed a two-year deal with the Colts that carries a maximum value of US $15m, according to ESPN.
After his release by Detroit last week, the Colts were the first team to contact Ebron, and the staff took turns trying to lure him to new head coach Frank Reich's offence.
"The first team is always the one that catches your attention, because they're the ones that think highly of you," Ebron told Colts.com on Monday. "So I did a few visits, and this was one of my last ones - which I set up purposefully, because I kind of felt the energy from them - so when I came in and met them, it just was a sign."
The Colts are hoping the big and speedy tight end can realise his full potential after being drafted 10th overall by Detroit in 2014.
Ebron, 6 ft 4ins and 253 pounds, is coming off a productive season, despite only starting in nine of 16 games he played in for the Lions.
He caught 53 passes for 574 yards and four touchdowns with Matthew Stafford as his quarterback, and has 186 receptions during his four-year career, with 2,070 yards and 11 TDs.
Now he expects to get his passes from Andrew Luck, a prospect that excites him.
"I believe that Andrew Luck is a great quarterback, and that was big upon my decision, because, you know, I'm here given an opportunity to play for this organization, and whatever organization that played its role (in his signing) had to have a great quarterback," added Ebron.
"So I definitely chose Andrew Luck, and a lot of people that I've talked to have spoke highly of him."
