The Atlanta Falcons are trading quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts. This is reported by Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini ESPN’ as well as Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo from NFL Network. The Falcons will receive a third-round pick in the upcoming draft in exchange for the former MVP and four-time Pro Bowler.
The Falcons are daring to make a fresh start in the most important position after missing the playoffs four times. Splitting from Ryan, who turns 37 in May, saves Atlanta $8.1 million but leaves a whopping $40.5 million in dead cap for the 2022 season.
With efforts to sign Deshaun Watson failing, quarterback’s future remains unclear. Some of the best veteran playmakers that might be available include Jimmy Garoppolo, n, and Baker Mayfield. The latter will be replaced by Watson for the Cleveland Browns. The Colts, on the other hand, had traded Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders for two third-round picks (2022, 2023). Ryan is now taking his place.
The Falcons drafted Ryan third overall in the 2008 draft, and he quickly showed he could be the franchise quarterback for years to come. He was voted Rookie of the Year and missed just three games in 14 years. Apart from last season, he threw for 4,000 yards, only in his rookie season did he have fewer than 20 touchdown passes.
He was voted MVP in his fabulous 2016 season, in which he completed 69.9 percent of his passes and hung up for 4,944 yards, 38 TDs and just 7 career high interceptions. He led the Falcons into Super Bowl LI, where after a 28-3 lead, they failed dramatically to Tom Brady’s New England Patriots (28:34 OT). The past four years have been a significant decline, with Ryan getting sacked more than 40 times each year. In addition, the defense did not allow any more successes.