Jim Irsay He has his hands on the steering wheel of the Colts personnel at key meetings this year. After nine months the owner insisted Carson Wentz A Colts one and done, he led the way Wentz’s replacement is being benched.
Over the past few weeks, Irsay let Chris Ballard And Frank Reich Knowing that a change was needed at quarterback, The Athletic’s Zach Kiefer noted that Ballard was on the bench. Matt Ryan for Sam Ellinger Before Reich came to that conclusion (Subscription required)
Kiefer adds the Sunday-night meeting, pointing out that the quarterback position provides an exception to Irsay’s policy of letting Ballard and Reich run the show. Irsay-Ballard-Reich Summit Not long after the Colts’ Week 18 meltdown in Jacksonville — that led to calls for Ryan’s firing. Ryan’s shoulder sprain will sideline him in Week 8, but he’ll quickly become a healthy backup for the first time since Boston College’s 2005 season. Ryan’s 12 turnovers — nine interceptions, three lost fumbles — lead the league.
Irsay’s push comes months after he did He instructed Ballard to finalize the trade for Ryan, the Falcons dealt him to the Colts for a 2022 third-round pick. Indianapolis spent more than a week negotiating a deal between the Wentz and Ryan trades Jameis Winston In the days between those moves. But once the Falcons’ Deshaun Watson Love ensued, and the Ryan-to-Indy trail was formed.
The Colts have brought in a first-rounder and two-thirds of their past two starting QBs, though they recovered considerable value by sending Wentz to Washington this offseason. Indianapolis will now turn to the former sixth-round pick in the game’s marquee position.
Select contact scouts Albert Breer of SI.com They believe Ryan’s arm was shot Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk The reason the Colts walked away from him in seven games points to Ryan’s injury guarantee. Colts Restructured Ryan’s contract this offseason, raising his 2023 cap number to $35.2MM. Ryan will receive $12MM guaranteed next year, but the 37-year-old passer will receive an additional $7.2MM through injury guarantees if he cannot pass a physical on Day 3 of the 2023 league year, Florio adds. Ryan’s $10MM 2023 roster bonus is also guaranteed for injury, leading the Colts to attempt to wrap their early 2022 starter on the bubble.
The Colts have continued to struggle uphill for years Andrew LuckRetired August 2019. After acquiring Ryan, they joined the Broncos and Commanders to start a Week 1 quarterback for the sixth time in six years. Fewer than 10 teams have gone through so much QB1 turnover since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Indianapolis would go on to seven next season. Only two post-merger teams — the Chargers from 1987-93 and the Browns from 2013-19 — have trotted out different Week 1 starting QBs in seven years. Ehlinger, who has yet to throw a regular season pass, will try to make his case to be that starter.
