Insider: What Parris Campbell signing with the Giants means to the Colts' receiving corps
The Colts will need a new slot receiver for whoever ends up as their quarterback.
Parris Campbell is headed to the Giants on a one-year deal, a source confirmed to the Indy Star. The Score first reported the move. The contract is incentive-laden and worth up to $6.7 million.
A second-round pick out of Ohio State in the 2018 draft, Campbell expressed interest in returning to Indianapolis, where he has raised a family. Instead, he's headed to the Giants to reunite with former Colts wide receivers coach Mike Groh on a one-year prove-it deal.
Campbell put together his first healthy season in 2021 after three years ended by injuries. He played all 17 games and caught 63 passes for 623 yards and three touchdowns despite playing with three different quarterbacks, three different offensive coordinators and two different head coaches.
FOR SUBSCRIBERS: Should the Colts pursue QB Lamar Jackson? A look at the pros, cons and likelihood
It's his only healthy season so far, so he'll use a one-year deal to try to prove more of what he can offer a team. He joins a Giants team that needs a go-to receiving option for Daniel Jones, whom it just extended on a major deal. New York made the divisional round of the playoffs in its first season with coach Brian Daboll.
The Colts have been very quiet on the offensive side of the ball in free agency, only signing wide receiver Ashton Dulin back to the roster. Their big moves so far have come on defense with edge rusher Samson Ebukam and in special teams with a record deal for Pro Bowl kicker Matt Gay. They have also re-signed linebacker E.J. Speed, defensive end Tyquan Lewis and cornerback Tony Brown.
Indianapolis is on the hunt for a sixth Week 1 starting quarterback in six seasons, and the inability to lock in on a plan could be holding up free agent plans. Now, the Colts need to find a starting slot receiver to play alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce on the outside. They don't have any options on the roster who fit the role, aside from Pittman Jr. and tight end Kylen Granson playing some occasional snaps.
The free agent class has started to dry up at the position, with Campbell, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jacoby Meyers all inking deals. With Pittman Jr. entering a contract year, this could be a time to draft a receiver to grow with a rookie quarterback.
With 63 receptions now disappearing from the offense, this could also spell bigger roles for young tight ends such as Granson, Jelani Woods and Drew Ogletree, who combined for 56. It's one of a few questions to iron out for new coach Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who want to operate in a pass-first offense.
Contact Colts insider Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts: What Parris Campbell signing with Giants on 1-year deal means
