Ever since Andrew Luck’s retirement just five years ago, the Indianapolis Colts have grappled with a revolving door of quarterbacks. Among those who had brief tenures with the team is Matt Ryan, the 2016 MVP award winner, who was brought in as a seasoned veteran to lead a young roster that many believed was primed for playoff success.
After enduring four consecutive losing seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Ryan sought a change of scenery in 2022, coinciding with the Colts’ quest for a solution after missing the playoffs the previous year with Carson Wentz at the helm.
The paths of Ryan and the Colts converged after head coach Frank Reich advocated for another experienced quarterback in Indianapolis.
Heading into the 2022 season, set to earn nearly $25 million, Ryan was viewed as an ideal bridge quarterback to provide the Colts with a shot at immediate success while grooming future talent. However, Ryan’s introduction to the Colts did not unfold as anticipated.
Starting with a tie against the Houston Texans and culminating in being benched midway through the season, Ryan’s tenure with the Colts was tumultuous, described by the veteran quarterback himself as “a s*** show of 18 months.” Despite throwing for nine touchdowns and nine interceptions in his first seven games, Ryan was sidelined by Reich, citing a “shoulder injury,” a rare occurrence in his career. Following Reich’s departure after a disappointing 3-5-1 start, the team found itself at a crossroads between tanking for a draft pick or salvaging the season for a playoff push.
Owner Jim Irsay’s decision to hire former Super Bowl champion center Jeff Saturday to lead the team added another layer of complexity. With Ryan back in the starting lineup, the team secured a surprising win against the Las Vegas Raiders, which ultimately marked Ryan’s final victory.
However, challenges persisted as Ryan’s new play caller, Parks Frazier, was significantly younger and lacked coaching experience. The team’s struggles to establish an identity on offense in the final eight weeks of the season underscored the difficulties faced by Ryan and his new teammates.
Ultimately, Ryan’s career with the Colts concluded in a disappointing fashion, highlighted by the team’s historic collapse against the Minnesota Vikings, leading to his release by general manager Chris Ballard three months later, saving the team $17 million in cap space.
Despite the challenging conclusion to his time in Indianapolis, Ryan found solace in retiring in Atlanta, where he had spent over a decade as the Falcons’ QB1. Now, Ryan is transitioning to a new role as a CBS analyst, joining the ranks of former players turned broadcasters.
