INDIANAPOLIS – Matt Ryan felt he could be a quarterback for one among solely two groups subsequent season: the Atlanta Falcons or the Indianapolis Colts.
His want to play for a special crew for the primary time in his 14-year NFL profession got here final weekend after a Zoom name with Colts basic supervisor Chris Ballard, coach Frank Reich, offensive coordinator Marcus Brady and assistant quarterback Parks Fraser. The Hawks changed 36-year-old Ryan with the Colts group on Monday for a 3rd spherical on this 12 months’s draft.
Ryan mentioned Tuesday as he opened a press convention because the New Starting quarterback for the Colts. “I simply knew the record they’d and to imagine in the best way they do issues, the time was proper for me. I knew it was time to go in a special path.”
Ryan had no thought the place he would play subsequent season final week. That is as a result of the Falcons have been one of many groups contemplating a take care of quarterback Deshaun Watson, which might absolutely have ended Ryan’s time in Atlanta. Ryan and the Falcons paid his $7.5 million bonus owed to him till Monday whereas they waited for Watson to decide on his future. Watson lastly waived the no-trade clause to go to the Cleveland Browns, which meant the Hawks needed to resolve what to do with Ryan.
“It was undoubtedly a hiccup week for certain on my finish,” Ryan mentioned. “This time final week, we did not understand how issues would prove….I have been lucky to have by no means made a transaction or switch record, which is widespread and a day for almost all of the locker room…from the time I began final week Till we’re sitting right here right this moment, I believed everybody handles every little thing professionally. I did not like every little thing I heard, however you do not at all times like what you hear generally.”
The Hawks and Colts started commerce talks on Friday, based on a supply, earlier than Ryan met members of the Colts teaching workers on Saturday. The quarterback walked out of the assembly as if it was time for a change. Ryan threw 59,775 yards and 367 touchdowns throughout his profession with the Hawks, which additionally included him with the NFL MVP title in 2016.
“I additionally come from a spot I’ve been actually lucky to have been in for 14 years and I wish to begin by thanking everybody on the Hawks, beginning with [owner] Ryan Arthur Plank mentioned, “It is undoubtedly bittersweet. I actually respect my time there. It is unhappy to see it come to an finish, however I am so excited to see what might occur right here. What all this crew and group is all about. It is a actually thrilling day for me and my household.”
Ryan highlighted a few of the greatest quarterbacks to have performed for the Colts, together with Johnny Unitas, Andrew Lack, Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers. Ryan would be the sixth within the first week of the Colts beginning quarterback in a number of years subsequent season.
The Colts hope that Ryan won’t solely be their subsequent quarterback, but additionally give them at the very least two years to discover a substitute in some unspecified time in the future. The Colts have restructured the ultimate two years of Ryan’s deal, along with his remaining $53.9 million in some kind assured, a supply instructed ESPN Jeremy Fowler.
“I mentioned proper from the beginning, I wish to play so long as I can, I really feel actually good,” Ryan mentioned. “My physique feels actually good. I nonetheless really feel like I can play on the highest stage I’ve ever had; nobody has a crystal ball to know precisely how lengthy it’ll be.”
Ryan talked about how Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford left the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions, respectively, and went on to win the Tremendous Bowls with their new groups (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams) of their first seasons there. For the Ponies to start out eager about being a Tremendous Bowl competitor, they should add extra items in assault. The receiver, slim finish and left-hand deal with are excessive on the record of wants. The Colts have made the playoffs solely twice since 2014.
“I perceive that I’m a part of that wheel and must put my weight up and do my job very well,” Ryan mentioned. “It’s a very robust wheel that has been constructed [in Indianapolis]. That is why I’ve to be an ideal teammate, doing my greatest, no matter I’ve to do to assist the gamers. …I’m so excited to go to work and get on the sector with these guys and attempt to do my half to assist this crew win as many video games as potential.”
