Colts shockingly decide to bench Matt Ryan just seven games into new two-year mega deal
The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that they have benched veteran quarterback Matt Ryan. Second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger will now be the starting quarterback for the remainder of the 2022 season.
This comes as the 37-year-old did suffer a shoulder injury on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Colts coach Frank Reich called it a grade-2 shoulder separation. But according to Reich, the Colts were ready to make a change at quarterback, despite the injury. They have handed over the reigns to the 24-year-old to see what he can do with the offense and whether he is the future starter.
To clarify: the Colts are making the switch at QB regardless of Matt Ryan's injury. The plan, as of now, is for Sam Ehlinger to be the starting quarterback the rest of the season.
Ryan has had a disappointing start to the 2022 season after being traded from the Atlanta Falcons. He has thrown nine interceptions and fumbled 11 times, leading the league in both categories, which is not a stat that will lead to success. Ryan had just a 66% completion rate and seven passing touchdowns this season.
The benching of Matt Ryan is just another quarterback issue that Indianapolis has had since quarterback Andrew Luck retired in August 2019. Prior to the trade for Ryan, Indy traded for then-Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. They were unable to bring out the type of quarterback he was in 2017 and ended up trading him to Washington this past offseason.
Indianapolis is currently 3-3-1 on the season after a 19-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon.
Who is Colts new QB Sam Ehlinger?
The Indianapolis Colts drafted quarterback Sam Ehlinger in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He played for four years at the University of Texas, playing 46 games throughout his career.
Per Frank Reich, QB Sam Ehlinger will start in #WASvsIND. https://t.co/Y3hX6C8CqQ
In 2018, he broke the school record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 16. That same season, he broke the BIG 12 conference record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception, with an impressive 308 total attempts.
His ability as a dual threat in both the passing and rushing game was a big factor for the Colts when they drafted him. He started his rookie season on the injured reserve after spraining his ACL during preseason play.
He appeared in just three games last season. Most of them were rushing plays when Frank Reich's offense was looking to change things up.
He will now be the starting quarterback, running his own offense. This may just be the spark the offense needs -- a quarterback who is able to make plays happen down the field or with his legs.