The Indianapolis Colts made a major quarterback move on Tuesday.
Indianapolis is parting ways with Matt Ryan. The Colts will cut the veteran quarterback who joined the team prior to the 2022 season. News of this major roster move was reported by Jeff Howe of The Athletic.
“The Colts released quarterback Matt Ryan on Tuesday, a league source confirmed to The Athletic,” Howe penned.
Matt Ryan was prepared to make over $35 million in the 2023 season. That will obviously no longer be the case as the 37-year-old former NFL MVP will look for a new nest now.
As Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweeted though, Ryan won’t leave Indianapolis empty-handed.
As part of the #Colts trade to acquire QB Matt Ryan, his agent negotiated a new contract that included a $12M guarantee in 2023 that was not in his previous contract. Ryan remains entitled to the $12M regardless of what he decides to do this season. Amazing.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2023
“As part of the #Colts trade to acquire QB Matt Ryan, his agent negotiated a new contract that included a $12M guarantee in 2023 that was not in his previous contract. Ryan remains entitled to the $12M regardless of what he decides to do this season. Amazing,” Rapoport tweeted.
The Atlanta Falcons drafted Matt Ryan in the 2008 NFL Draft. Ryan went on to have unbridled success with the Falcons, who didn’t post back-to-back winning seasons since the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He helped lead the team to multiple playoff appearances, the NFC Championship Game twice, and infamously, Super Bowl LI. The Falcons, basically, unceremoniously kicked Ryan to the curb when they pursued Deshaun Watson last offseason. He landed in Indy, where he threw 14 touchdown passes and over 3,000 passing yards.
It’s yet to be seen whether Ryan decides to play again. But he will have that $12 million to his name, regardless.
