INDIANAPOLIS – And now there will be six.
Six seasons.
Six differentWeek 1: The starting quarterbacks Indianapolis Colts.
It’s surprising that coach Frank Reich’s head isn’t spinning in circles nonstop, because he’s yet to have the same starting quarterback in back-to-back seasons since his arrival in Indianapolis in 2018.
It’s Matt Ryan’s turn to see if he can go two straight seasons as the team’s starter at quarterback. The goal was that Carson Wentzwould be that player, but it is the Colts shipped him offTo the Washington CommandersAfter just one season, they were able to move as fast as possible.
Ryan is seven years Wentz’s senior, and his best years may be behind him, but the belief is that the Colts are getting a more mature player at the position.
“Certainly seems like an adult move,” ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky said. “I know it seems like a negative shot at Carson, but it’s not meant to be. It’s also hard not to sit there and say that a lot of things off the field were lacking. It sounds like this.
“And now they’re getting a guy [Ryan]Who is fully capable of being CEO of a billion-dollar company and taking on that responsibility every day? I think there’s value in that, there’s no questions asked.”
The Colts don’t regret trading for Wentz, despite giving the Philadelphia EaglesThey received their 2022 first round pick in the transaction, but they also acknowledged that it was a mistake when they traded him to Commanders earlier this year for a 3rd-rounder.
“I wish Carson well, I think he has a chance to go into a different environment and play great in Washington,” Colts owner Jim Irsay told reporters at the NFL owners meetings earlier this week. “It’s just, for us, it was something we had to move away from as a franchise. It was very obvious.”
The Colts entered this offseason without any direction for their quarterback. All they knew is they couldn’t bring Wentz back for a second season, even if it they had no idea who their starter would be in 2022 due to a mediocre quarterback market. Chris Ballard, Colts general manger, says they were lucky to land Ryan. This may not have been possible if Ryan hadn’t been drafted. Atlanta FalconsNot included in the mix Deshaun WatsonWho is it? eventually choseThe Cleveland Browns.
“To sit here and say we just had a flat-out plan that the QB [position] was going to work out, we didn’t,” Ballard told reporters during the owners meeting.
As they look for Ryan’s successor, the Colts feel that they now have some stability at quarterback. Ryan has started every game he’s played – while missing only three games – since being taken as the No. Ryan was the third overall pick in 2008. He was named the NFL MVP for 2016.
“I really feel strongly that Matt is what the franchise needs,” Irsay said at the owners meetings. “I really think we have an opportunity, and he’s young enough, to win a world championship with him. We feel like we have that capability.”
Because of the constant changing at quarterback, Reich is well-equipped to cater his offensive playbook for whomever the starter may be.
Ryan is a pocket passer, but Wentz excels at play action.
“I think it’ll be a little bit more of Frank adjusting to Matt,” Orlovsky said. “Matt has not been a guy notorious for running a lot of [run-pass options]. That’s a big part of what they did offensively last year with the Colts …
“Matt had his best years playing play-action football, but that’s probably going to be the case for any quarterback. If you ask me, his ball placement is the most important part of his physical game or the best part of his physical game. His ability to be really accurate, and that’s something that, in [the Colts’] offense, is a demanded aspect of the game.”
Ryan, who completed 65.5% his career pass attempts, is just one piece of an offensive puzzle. There are many pieces missing, like a starting left tackle after he has moved on. Eric FisherA starting tight end. Jack DoyleSome receivers and retired people to assist Michael Pittman Jr.
Ryan is talented, but it’ll be difficult for him – and the Colts – to be successful if Ballard doesn’t address those areas, especially with the AFC expected to be even more competitive next season.
“I feel pretty good saying [Ryan] probably has two good years,” Orlovsky said. “I think again, being real, it’s going to be hard for him to have a really good year if some of those personnel questions aren’t answered. These are real questions. He can play good but still get beat up by an offensive line that wasn’t great in pass pro last year and doesn’t have a left tackle currently. How good he’ll be will be based off how many of the offensive questions are answered.”