The Indianapolis Colts have been trying far and extensive for his or her Peyton Manning-like substitute since parting methods with the Corridor of Fame quarterback in 2012. Andrew Luck was speculated to be that man, however the crew’s lack of safety for him led to accidents and an early retirement in 2019.

The Colts have since had stop-gap quarterbacks every of the final three years, lining Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, and Carson Wentz behind heart. And which may not essentially change with 37-year-old Matt Ryan now in Indy. However Ryan, who the crew traded for this offseason, may be the closest factor to Manning that Indianapolis has had because it primarily selected Andrew Luck over the five-time NFL MVP a decade in the past.

Simply ask head coach Frank Reich.

Frank Reich gave Matt Ryan the last word praise

Frank Reich has solely been the pinnacle coach of the Colts since 2018, so he moved to Indy nicely after Peyton Manning’s tenure. Nonetheless, Reich spent the primary six years of his teaching profession in Indianapolis, working as an assistant between 2006 and 2011. Manning began at QB in 5 of these six seasons earlier than sitting the 2011 marketing campaign out attributable to harm.

Which means Reich is aware of how The Sheriff operated throughout his time with the Colts, and he sees a significant similarity between him and Matt Ryan.

“Matt’s an extremely good man, however one of many issues I’ve continued to be impressed by—he doesn’t need to broaden issues, he needs to consolidate issues,” Reich just lately stated, per Sports activities Illustrated. “It’s just a little bit Peytonesque like that: Don’t attempt to overcoach, don’t get too cute, don’t attempt to overscheme, let’s simply run the identical issues again and again. That’s how I’ve been introduced up on this league. In an age the place everybody needs to speak about how good the coaches are, or the quarterback is, and all of the methods you could scheme, and do that and that … and people are all essential issues, [but] Matt is old style, and I’m just a little bit old style like this too.”

He continued: “It’s like this, slightly than all the time attempting to scheme issues up the place one man’s open, the play is designed so if the quarterback can work his progressions, anyone’s going to be open.”

Something just like the way in which during which Manning labored is probably going adequate for Colts followers. And Ryan will now lead one in every of Indy’s finest groups for the reason that Manning period.

Matt Ryan can have Peyton Manning-like success with the Colts

To be clear: Matt Ryan is not any Peyton Manning. However the way in which he leads his offense appears to be related, which is what the Colts need after final 12 months’s disastrous season with Carson Wentz.

Ryan can now assist the Colts have success akin to that of these Manning-led groups.

With Peyton, Indianapolis reached the playoffs in 9 straight season between 2002 and 2010 and performed in two Tremendous Bowls between 2006 and 2009, successful one championship throughout that span. It’s unclear whether or not Ryan can lead the Colts to the promised land, however they’ve the expertise to make a run at it.

Indianapolis has a talented offense round Ryan with the NFL’s main rusher in 2021, Jonathan Taylor, within the backfield. It additionally has a flexible again in Nyheim Hines, a 1,000-yard receiver in Michael Pittman Jr., and numerous younger weapons like Alec Pierce and Mo Alie-Cox. That’s to not point out its huge offensive line led by three-time All-Professional Quenton Nelson.

The Colts are additionally stacked defensively. They’ve three 2021 Professional Bowlers in DeForest Buckner, Darius Leonard, and Kenny Moore II, they usually added a cross rusher in Yannick Ngakoue and the 2019 Defensive Participant of the Yr, Stephon Gilmore.

All this expertise mixed with Matt Ryan’s “Peytonesque” composure may lead to an enormous 2022 season for the Colts. If we’re fortunate, we might hear a couple of “Omahas” each from time to time, too.

Indianapolis Colts: Matt Ryan’s Latest Quote Is an Encouraging Signal for His Partnership With Frank Reich