Jim Irsay put his hands on the Colts’ HR steering wheel at key moments this year. Nine months after the owner insisted Carson Wentz be a one-and-done Colts, he led the way to Substitute Wentz is substituted.
Over the past few weeks, Irsay has let Chris Ballard and Frank Reich know that a change in midfield is needed, The Athletic’s Zak Keefer reports, noting that Ballard has joined with the bench. Matt Ryan Because Sam Ehlinger
before Reich came to that conclusion.
Pointing out that the quarterback provided an exception to Irsay’s policy of letting Ballard and Reich run the show, Keefer added a Sunday night meeting – similar to Irsay-Ballard-Reich Summit shortly after the Colts’ Week 18 crisis in Jacksonville – led to calls to demote Ryan. Ryan’s sprained shoulder will be off the field in Week 8, but he will soon become a healthy backup for the first time since Boston College’s 2005 season. Ryan’s 12 passes – 9 interceptions, 3 losses – lead the league.
Irsay’s urging also came a few months after he instruct Ballard to complete the transaction for Ryanwhom the Falcons dealt with the Colts to be picked in the third round of 2022. Indianapolis has gone more than a week between Wentz and Ryan deals, discussing a deal with James Winston in the days between those moves. Once the Falcons’ Deshaun Watson started flirting, the Ryan-to-Indy path took shape.
The Colts traded a first round and two-thirds to bring back their two previously started QBs, though they have recouped significant value by shipping Wentz to Washington this holiday season. Indianapolis will now move to the previous pick in the sixth round in the game’s marquee position.
Select scouts to communicate with Albert Breer of SI.com they believe that Ryan’s arm was shot, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pointed to Ryan’s injury guarantees as the reason the Colts left him seven games in. The Colts restructuring Ryan’s contract this season, increasing his 2023 cap to $35.2 million. Ryan will be guaranteed $12 million next year, but another $7.2 million will come through injury guarantees should the 37-year-old fail to break through fitness on Day 3 of the 2023 league year, Florio added. Ryan’s $10 million 2023 roster bonus is also guaranteed for injuries, leading to the Colts’ attempt to complete their first game in 2022.
The Colts continued to fight hard in the following years Andrew Luckretiring in August 2019. After acquiring Ryan, they joined the Broncos and Commanders to start their sixth Week 1 quarterfinals in six years. Fewer than 10 teams have experienced this much QB1 revenue since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Indianapolis will pull that streak to seven next season. Only two post-merger groups – the Chargers from 1987-93 and the Browns from 2013-19 – have made different Week 1 starting QBs for seven consecutive years. Ehlinger, who has yet to roll out a regular pass during the season, will try to make his case a starter.
