Colts planning to release Matt Ryan in cap move
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts acquired Matt Ryan last March thinking he would help them make a postseason run, maybe even win a Super Bowl.
Now the two sides are now splitting up — and Ryan’s long career could be over.
Indy plans to release the quarterback officially Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because the decision has not been announced publicly.
By releasing the 37-year-old Ryan, the
Colts will save about $17.2 million in salary cap space next season. Indy also saved an additional nearly $8 million by trading veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore to Dallas for a fifth-round pick, though they’ll use some of that by signing former Los Angeles Rams kicker Matt Gay.
Gay confirmed the deal in two Twitter posts — one thanking the Rams and their fans, the other announcing his excitement for joining Indy.
But the Ryan move came as no surprise. Indy holds the No. 4 overall pick in next month’s NFL draft and most analysts expect it to select one of four quarterbacks — 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year C.J. Stroud, strong-armed Will Levis or Anthony Richardson.
What’s next for the league’s 2016 MVP also remains unclear.
In January, Ryan said he wasn’t ready to would retire and that he could still play at a high level.
His film and stats revealed a different story.
Ryan struggled in his only season with the Colts, playing for two head coaches, two offensive coordinators and two play-callers while working behind an offensive line that allowed the NFL’S second-highest sacks total (60). Injuries also slowed 2021 NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor and having just one consistent receiving option — Michael Pittman Jr. — didn’t help.
The result: Ryan finished with the league’s second-most giveaways (18) despite playing five fewer games than Josh Allen (19), was sacked 40 times and benched twice in his only season in Indy.