matt ryan came out like the Foals quarterback only seven games in his career at Indianapolis. Except injury of the new holder Sam Ehlinger or veteran backup Nick Foles, it’s likely that Ryan also played his last snap in blue. By trying but failing to quit their annual QB carousel, the Colts would risk owing up to $17 million of Ryan’s remaining contract by sending him back to the field — he has injury guarantees built into his deal — but could save from $18 million to $29 million by releasing or trading it in 2023.
So what happens next for a long time Falcons QB? In all likelihood, nothing. Ehlinger will start, allowing coach Frank Reich to experiment with a more mobile caller with his own potentially online job. Foles will be No. 2. And Ryan will be on the sidelines, preserved for the scenario where Indy accidentally falls into the late-season playoff picture and, due to injury or performance, he gets a chance for winter redemption. Either way, there’s a good chance he’ll be released after the season, either by trade, outright release, or mutual separation via retirement.
On the off chance that Ryan and/or the Colts don’t want to wait and prefer an immediate Donovan McNabb-style split with the vikings in 2011, here is an overview of three teams that could be interested:
Bill Belichick is anything but courting QB drama at this point, refusing to state either McJones or beginner Bailey Zappe his starter a day after using both in a nasty home loss to the Bear. Jones is only a year away from entering as the 15th draft pick, and Zappe has shown energy as a backup, but neither youngster seems too comfortable going into the second. half of 2022. If Belichick is desperate to salvage the season in a tough AFC East, maybe he’d welcome the former star he once edged out in the superbowl. No one, after all, likes resurrecting veterans like him. Ryan, meanwhile, has Boston College experience, wouldn’t hamper Jones or Zappe’s long-term future, and could possibly build on their ground game.
Kyle Shanahan had no problem touting two ‘starters’ at QB when he hosted back Jimmy Garoppolo while Trey Lance ready to “take over” under center, so why not three? With Lance now out until 2023, the 49ers’ only insurance behind injury-prone Garoppolo is the rookie Brock Purdy. Ryan, meanwhile, had two of his best years under Shanahan in Atlanta. If San Francisco is all-out on an NFC West run and into the playoffs, like their trade for Christian McCaffrey suggests, they could eventually welcome Ryan as the new No. 2, giving the veteran the option to come off the bench in an emergency down the stretch. Then, depending on how things go, they would have a trio of potential starters or trade chips in 2023.
After a surprise 5-2 start with a playoff bid on the horizon, the Jets have answered questions at virtually every position except the most important, where the first round of 2021 Zach Wilson was deployed as little more than a heavy ground game keeper. As they close in on the fight, GM Joe Douglas, who clearly invested in 2022 after negotiating for james robinsonjust jump into the dance with only Joe Flacco behind Wilson, already injured twice in two NFL seasons? The addition of Ryan could incite more drama in a team that doesn’t need it, but there are also connections here: in addition to being from the neighboring area of Philly, Ryan worked with the offensive coordinator Jets coach Matt LaFleur in Atlanta, and Jets coach Robert Saleh would have good information about the veteran from his days under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco.