Matt Ryan reacts to being benched by the Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are off to a substandard start to the 2022 season, holding a 3-3-1 record.
The Colts sit behind the Tennessee Titans, who hold a 4-2 mark, for the top spot in the AFC South. As the team prepares for Week 8 action against the Washington Commanders, there will be a significant change under center. Backup Sam Ehlinger will get the start over Matt Ryan.
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The move has come to much of a surprise for the former league MVP, who has never been benched once in his first 15 NFL seasons. Despite that, Ryan took the high road by focusing on what he can do to help the team.
“As a player, you just always anticipate, you’re getting ready, you’re going to go,” Ryan said via ESPN. “And so that’s where your mindset’s at. There is a little bit surprise and shock at the beginning, but it’s a decision they had to make and, as a player, as a teammate, you have to move forward and you’ve got to help out where you can.”
Ryan is dealing with a nagging right shoulder injury, but that wasn’t going to be enough to keep him off the field. He has proven to be quite durable, missing only three games.
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Head coach Frank Reich has stated that this move isn’t one that signals the Colts are falling on their own sword for the rest of the season.
“I can tell you this for sure: Nobody is waving the white flag,” Reich said. “It’s not in my DNA. It’s not in our players’ DNA. I would never do that in a million years. I just couldn’t do that.”
Ryan’s addition was believed to take the Colts back toward playoff contention due to his proven track record. Instead, he’s struggled to produce at a high level aside from ranking fourth with 2,008 passing yards as he’s thrown nine interceptions and sits 22nd with a 42.0 quarterback rating.
Time will tell if Ryan will remain in the backup role moving forward.
