Source: Colts get QB Matt Ryan in trade with Falcons
MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts may have found another short-term answer at quarterback by trading for Matt Ryan.
How much longer the soon-to-be 37-year-old, four-time Pro Bowler sticks around isn’t clear.
On Monday, Indy acquired the 2016 league MVP from Atlanta for a third-round pick in this year’s draft (No. 82 overall,) a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on condtion of anonymity because the trade had not been announced.
The Falcons wasted no time finding Ryan’s replacement — announcing they’d signed free agent Marcus Mariota to a two-year contract.
For Indy, the deal completes a two-week search for a successor to Carson Wentz, who was traded to the Washington Commanders after just one season with the Colts. For Colts general manager Chris Ballard, it’s also the latest attempt to plug a hole created by Andrew Luck’s surprise retirement at age 29 just before the start of the 2018 season.
Ryan will become the sixth quarterback to start in Week 1 for the Colts in six years, adding his name to a list that already is comprised of Scott Tolzien, Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers and Wentz. He joins a franchise whose vice chairman Bill Polian once said he considered Ryan the most similar player in the league to Peyton Manning.
“You’ve got to be right (at quarterback) and even if you’re not right, you’ve got to keep firing away until you get it right,” Ballard said during the NFL’s annual scouting combine. “We’ve got to get it right.”
The deal also makes something else clear: The Falcons are entering rebuild mode.
Shortly after the Falcons made a highly publicized but failed bid to acquire Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson last week, it became clear Ryan did not want to return to a team where he had played his entire NFL career and then openly tried to replace him.
Watson supposedly narrowed his potential choices for a trade to New Orleans and Atlanta — with speculation the Falcons were the favorite since Watson is a Georgia native. But he changed his mind and accepted a $230 million, fully guaranteed deal with the Cleveland Browns who sent three first-round picks to the Texans in the deal.
Ryan is undoubtedly the greatest quarterback in Falcons history, the No. 3 overall pick in 2008 who stepped in to replace Michael Vick. He steadied a franchise rocked by coach Bobby Petrino’s departure after 13 games and Vick’s imprisonment for running a dogfighting ring.
With Ryan running the offense, the Falcons rebounded from a 4-12 mark in 2007 to make the playoffs in 2008 — the first of five consecutive winning seasons and three postseason trips. Until Ryan’s arrival, Atlanta had never even managed back-to-back winning seasons since joining the NFL as an expansion team in 1966.
After several down years for the team, Ryan turned in his greatest season in 2016, throwing for a career-best 4,944 yards with 38 touchdowns. Atlanta appeared headed for its first Super Bowl crown when it took a 28-3 lead over the New England Patriots by late in the third quarter only to see Tom Brady engineer the greatest comeback in title game history for a 34-28 overtime victory.
What the Colts are getting in Ryan is a model of consistency — something they’ve lacked following the retirements of Luck and Rivers and the departures of Tolzien, Brissett and Wentz. Ryan has two seasons left on his current contract and the Colts are well-positioned to absorb the salary cap hits each season.
Ryan posted 10 straight seasons with more than 4,000 passing yards until just missing the mark last year with 3,968. He’s thrown for at least 20 touchdowns every year of his career, totaling 367 in his career with 170 interceptions. And he has only missed three starts in his 14-year career.
His 59,735 career passing yards are No. 8 in NFL history, and he will likely pass Dan Marino (61,361) for the No. 7 spot on the list next season.
Even though the Falcons made one more playoff appearance with Ryan, in 2017, they never seemed to recover from the stunning collapse on the NFL’s biggest stage. Atlanta has endured four straight losing seasons, including a 7-10 mark last year, and is clearly in rebuilding mode.
Mariota joins the little-used Feleipe Franks as the only quarterbacks on Atlanta’s roster. Tennessee took Mariota with the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2015, but the 28-year-old played sparingly over the past two seasons as a backup to Derek Carr with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mariota lost his starting job with the Titans after going 29-32 record in five seasons. He’ll apparently get a chance to resurrect his career with the Flacons, who are also likely to pursue a long-term solution at quarterback in the draft even though this is not considered a strong quarterback class.
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— 2021 record, finish: 3-14, last in AFC South
— Super Bowl 57 odds: 125-to-1 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
— Reason for optimism: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick has been a star since high school, when he was the top-ranked recruit in the country. Then he won a national championship as a true freshman to kick-start a record-setting career at Clemson. He struggled as a rookie, throwing a league-leading 17 interceptions while getting little help from his offensive line and wide receivers, but he’s still the same elite prospect that was considered one of the best to enter the league since Andrew Luck. With 11 draft picks, including No. 1 overall, plus nearly $60 million in salary cap space, the Jaguars have the resources to get Lawrence the help he needs to succeed. Not to mention, replacing Urban Meyer with former Super Bowl champion Doug Pederson might be the biggest head coaching upgrade of the offseason.
— Reason for skepticism: A porous defense. The Jags’ unit finished 31st in Football Outsiders’ DVOA rankings, ahead of only the New York Jets. Outside of edge rusher Josh Allen and cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Tyson Campbell, there aren’t many building blocks here. The Bengals brought in seven new starters in 2021 to help fix one of the league’s worst defenses. Jacksonville might need a similar overhaul to compete for a playoff spot in 2022.
— 2021 record, finish: 3-14, last in AFC South
— Super Bowl 57 odds: 125-to-1 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
— Reason for optimism: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick has been a star since high school, when he was the top-ranked recruit in the country. Then he won a national championship as a true freshman to kick-start a record-setting career at Clemson. He struggled as a rookie, throwing a league-leading 17 interceptions while getting little help from his offensive line and wide receivers, but he’s still the same elite prospect that was considered one of the best to enter the league since Andrew Luck. With 11 draft picks, including No. 1 overall, plus nearly $60 million in salary cap space, the Jaguars have the resources to get Lawrence the help he needs to succeed. Not to mention, replacing Urban Meyer with former Super Bowl champion Doug Pederson might be the biggest head coaching upgrade of the offseason.
— Reason for skepticism: A porous defense. The Jags’ unit finished 31st in Football Outsiders’ DVOA rankings, ahead of only the New York Jets. Outside of edge rusher Josh Allen and cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Tyson Campbell, there aren’t many building blocks here. The Bengals brought in seven new starters in 2021 to help fix one of the league’s worst defenses. Jacksonville might need a similar overhaul to compete for a playoff spot in 2022.
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Bruce Kluckhohn
— 2021 record, finish: 6-11, third in NFC North
— Super Bowl 57 odds: 80-to-1
— Reason for optimism: A new approach. After firing coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace, the Bears hired Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and longtime Kansas City Chiefs executive Ryan Poles to lead the franchise. Eberflus brought in Green Bay Packers passing game coordinator Luke Getsy, who made it clear he wants to build his offense around young quarterback Justin Fields’ strengths. If Getsy can unlock the former Ohio State star’s dual-threat abilities, something Nagy never figured out during his tenure, the Bears’ offense should be much better than the unit that finished 26th in DVOA last season.
— Reason for skepticism: Too many holes to fill. The Bears enter the offseason with their top wide receiver (Allen Robinson), top defensive lineman (Akiem Hicks) and two of their starting offensive linemen (left tackle Jason Peters and right guard James Daniels) set to hit free agency. Rebuilding through the draft will be difficult, with Chicago owning just two top-100 picks (Nos. 39 and 71) after trading up to select Fields at No. 11 overall last year. It’s going to be difficult for the Bears to restock their receiver corps and upgrade their offensive line in one offseason, not to mention fix a defense that took a big step backward in 2021.
Bruce Kluckhohn
— 2021 record, finish: 6-11, third in NFC North
— Super Bowl 57 odds: 80-to-1
— Reason for optimism: A new approach. After firing coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace, the Bears hired Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and longtime Kansas City Chiefs executive Ryan Poles to lead the franchise. Eberflus brought in Green Bay Packers passing game coordinator Luke Getsy, who made it clear he wants to build his offense around young quarterback Justin Fields’ strengths. If Getsy can unlock the former Ohio State star’s dual-threat abilities, something Nagy never figured out during his tenure, the Bears’ offense should be much better than the unit that finished 26th in DVOA last season.
— Reason for skepticism: Too many holes to fill. The Bears enter the offseason with their top wide receiver (Allen Robinson), top defensive lineman (Akiem Hicks) and two of their starting offensive linemen (left tackle Jason Peters and right guard James Daniels) set to hit free agency. Rebuilding through the draft will be difficult, with Chicago owning just two top-100 picks (Nos. 39 and 71) after trading up to select Fields at No. 11 overall last year. It’s going to be difficult for the Bears to restock their receiver corps and upgrade their offensive line in one offseason, not to mention fix a defense that took a big step backward in 2021.
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Bill Kostroun
— 2021 record, finish: 7-10, third in NFC East
— Super Bowl 57 odds: 60-to-1
— Reason for optimism: A solid roster. Defensive end Chase Young and wide receiver Terry McLaurin are the headliners, but there’s plenty of talent on this team. Jonathan Allen is one of the best interior defenders in the league, cornerback Kendall Fuller is coming off a Pro Bowl-worthy season and rookie Samuel Cosmi looked like a cornerstone piece at right tackle. Speedy wide receiver Curtis Samuel is set to return after missing nearly the entire 2021 season, adding a crucial big-play threat on offense. A young, deep offensive line played much better than expected, too, though it could lose Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff in free agency.
— Reason for skepticism: Uncertainty at quarterback. A one-year deal for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick provided just 16 snaps, while Taylor Heinicke’s extended audition as the starter ended in disappointment. If Washington makes a big play for a veteran like Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr or even Russell Wilson, it could contend in a watered-down NFC. There’s also a chance that a quarterback the Commanders decide to pick in the first round — Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell or Matt Corral — turns into an overnight sensation.
Bill Kostroun
— 2021 record, finish: 7-10, third in NFC East
— Super Bowl 57 odds: 60-to-1
— Reason for optimism: A solid roster. Defensive end Chase Young and wide receiver Terry McLaurin are the headliners, but there’s plenty of talent on this team. Jonathan Allen is one of the best interior defenders in the league, cornerback Kendall Fuller is coming off a Pro Bowl-worthy season and rookie Samuel Cosmi looked like a cornerstone piece at right tackle. Speedy wide receiver Curtis Samuel is set to return after missing nearly the entire 2021 season, adding a crucial big-play threat on offense. A young, deep offensive line played much better than expected, too, though it could lose Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff in free agency.
— Reason for skepticism: Uncertainty at quarterback. A one-year deal for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick provided just 16 snaps, while Taylor Heinicke’s extended audition as the starter ended in disappointment. If Washington makes a big play for a veteran like Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr or even Russell Wilson, it could contend in a watered-down NFC. There’s also a chance that a quarterback the Commanders decide to pick in the first round — Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell or Matt Corral — turns into an overnight sensation.
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Bill Kostroun
— 2021 record, finish: 4-13, last in NFC East
— Super Bowl 57 odds: 100-to-1
— Reason for optimism: Brian Daboll. The new Giants coach worked wonders with Josh Allen as the offensive coordinator in Buffalo, helping turn the raw, inaccurate passer into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Daniel Jones isn’t as talented as Allen, but the former No. 6 overall pick has shown enough potential in his first two seasons that a mini-leap under Daboll isn’t inconceivable. With star running back Saquon Barkley another year removed from a torn ACL and wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney returning — plus whoever the Giants add with the No. 5 and No. 7 overall picks — there should be enough talent here for Jones and Daboll to work with.
— Reason for skepticism: The offensive line. Burrow proved he could overcome poor protection and still lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl, but Jones has never shown the same level of pocket awareness or field vision as the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner. For Jones to have any chance of improving, the Giants need to get better in the trenches, particularly on the interior. New York’s offensive line ended the 2021 season ranked 30th by Pro Football Focus, ahead of only the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins.
Bill Kostroun
— 2021 record, finish: 4-13, last in NFC East
— Super Bowl 57 odds: 100-to-1
— Reason for optimism: Brian Daboll. The new Giants coach worked wonders with Josh Allen as the offensive coordinator in Buffalo, helping turn the raw, inaccurate passer into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Daniel Jones isn’t as talented as Allen, but the former No. 6 overall pick has shown enough potential in his first two seasons that a mini-leap under Daboll isn’t inconceivable. With star running back Saquon Barkley another year removed from a torn ACL and wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney returning — plus whoever the Giants add with the No. 5 and No. 7 overall picks — there should be enough talent here for Jones and Daboll to work with.
— Reason for skepticism: The offensive line. Burrow proved he could overcome poor protection and still lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl, but Jones has never shown the same level of pocket awareness or field vision as the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner. For Jones to have any chance of improving, the Giants need to get better in the trenches, particularly on the interior. New York’s offensive line ended the 2021 season ranked 30th by Pro Football Focus, ahead of only the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins.
Paul Sullivan: With Aaron Rodgers and Phil Mickelson around, we could all use a break from the world of sports
Joshua Bessex
— 2021 record, finish: 4-13, last in AFC East
— Super Bowl 57 odds: 200-to-1
— Reason for optimism: A healthier roster. Defensive end Carl Lawson missed the entire 2021 season with a torn Achilles tendon, wide receiver Corey Davis missed eight games with a groin injury and rookie wide receiver Elijah Moore, a second-round pick, missed five games with a quad injury. Left tackle Mekhi Becton, the 11th overall pick in 2020, played just 48 snaps before suffering a season-ending knee injury. If all four can stay healthy in 2022, that would make a huge difference for a roster in desperate need of playmakers.
— Reason for skepticism: Zach Wilson. The No. 2 overall pick entered the league with plenty of hype after a breakout season at BYU, but he failed to meet expectations as a rookie. Wilson ranked 34th of 37 qualifying quarterbacks in PFF grading and, according to RBSDM.com, was by far the worst among 31 quarterbacks who played a minimum of 300 snaps in expected points added per play, a measure of efficiency that accounts for situational factors such as down, distance and field position. After such a disappointing first season, it’s hard to envision a Burrow-like leap for the Jets’ franchise quarterback.
Joshua Bessex
— 2021 record, finish: 4-13, last in AFC East
— Super Bowl 57 odds: 200-to-1
— Reason for optimism: A healthier roster. Defensive end Carl Lawson missed the entire 2021 season with a torn Achilles tendon, wide receiver Corey Davis missed eight games with a groin injury and rookie wide receiver Elijah Moore, a second-round pick, missed five games with a quad injury. Left tackle Mekhi Becton, the 11th overall pick in 2020, played just 48 snaps before suffering a season-ending knee injury. If all four can stay healthy in 2022, that would make a huge difference for a roster in desperate need of playmakers.
— Reason for skepticism: Zach Wilson. The No. 2 overall pick entered the league with plenty of hype after a breakout season at BYU, but he failed to meet expectations as a rookie. Wilson ranked 34th of 37 qualifying quarterbacks in PFF grading and, according to RBSDM.com, was by far the worst among 31 quarterbacks who played a minimum of 300 snaps in expected points added per play, a measure of efficiency that accounts for situational factors such as down, distance and field position. After such a disappointing first season, it’s hard to envision a Burrow-like leap for the Jets’ franchise quarterback.
Source: Colts get QB Matt Ryan in trade with Falcons
Doug Murray
FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday Oct 24, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Indianapolis Colts acquired quarterback Matt Ryan in a trade Monday, March 21, 2022, with the Atlanta Falcons, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
Doug Murray
FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday Oct 24, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Indianapolis Colts acquired quarterback Matt Ryan in a trade Monday, March 21, 2022, with the Atlanta Falcons, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
