Earlier this week, Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich made a giant announcement by stating that he was benching starter Matt Ryan in favor of backup Sam Ehlinger.
Though the Colts remain in the playoff race with a 3-3-1 record, Ryan has struggled mightily in year one of his post-Atlanta Falcons career. The 37-year-old has taken 24 sacks, and he leads the league in interceptions thrown (nine) and fumbles (11).
And so, the Colts are putting their faith in the hands of Ehlinger, a 2021 sixth-round pick (218th overall) out of Texas. Ehlinger had a strong showing in preseason but has yet to attempt a pass in a regular season game.
While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ryan admitted he was disappointed but handled the entire situation like a true professional. Here’s what the 2016 league MVP said on the matter, via Michael Marot:
“I’m disappointed personally, but I’m here for the team. As a player, you just always anticipate it’s next week, getting ready and you’re going to go and there is a little bit of that surprise and shock at the decision. That’s a decision they had to make and as a player and teammate you have to move forward and help out wherever you can.”
The Colts have used four different Week 1 starting quarterbacks since Andrew Luck’s stunning retirement three years ago: Jacoby Brissett in 2019, Philip Rivers in 2020, Carson Wentz in 2021 and Ryan here in 2022.
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Rivers was the best of the bunch, leading the Colts to 11 wins and a wild card berth. However, he decided to retire after the season, and the Colts took a chance on Wentz following a miserable 2020 year in Philadelphia.
But Wentz struggled over the final stretch of the season, and the Colts lost a must-win Week 18 game against the NFL’s worst team in the Jacksonville Jaguars. The loss cost them a playoff spot, and the Colts quickly decided to pull the plug on Wentz by sending him to the Washington Commanders.
Indianapolis surrendered the low price of a third-round pick to Atlanta, who wound up replacing Ryan with Marcus Mariota in free agency. Unfortunately for Ryan and the Colts , it looks like they’ll be looking for yet another new Week 1 starter in 2023.
