Colts Bench Falcons Ex QB Matt Ryan; Atlanta Officially Wins Trade?

For 14 years, quarterback Matt Ryan began all however three video games for the Atlanta Falcons, serving as a constant presence no matter what was occurring round him.

However the 37-year-old sign caller has discovered life rather more troublesome since being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March. Initially anticipated to have a bounce-back season whereas main Indianapolis to the playoffs, Ryan’s struggled, throwing a league-high 13 interceptions … and has now misplaced his beginning job for the second time this season.

Holding a 4-9-1 report, the Colts formally benched Ryan on Wednesday, appointing veteran Nick Foles the beginning quarterback for Monday evening’s recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers and the ultimate two video games past.

Ryan was beforehand benched after simply seven video games, with Indianapolis turning to second-year professional Sam Ehlinger as coach Frank Reich was in search of a spark to assist save his personal job. But it surely did not work, as Reich was fired two weeks later.

The Colts proceeded to rent ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday because the interim coach, and he gave Ryan his job again – however with the group shedding every of its final 4 video games, Saturday determined to make a change.

Ryan’s final recreation with the Colts was a 39-36 extra time loss to the Minnesota Vikings, marked by a blown 33-point lead, the biggest in NFL historical past. He is set to complete the season 309 of 461 (67 % completion price) for 3,057 yards and 14 touchdowns whereas tossing the aforementioned 13 interceptions and taking 38 sacks.

And thus, all eyes return to Atlanta. The Falcons acquired a third-round decide in return for Ryan, which was outdoors linebacker DeAngelo Malone.

Serving as a rotational participant up entrance, Malone is “getting higher each week,” per coach Arthur Smith, and simply recorded his fourth deal with for loss this season in Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the New Orleans Saints.

Malone, who’s flashed each speeding the passer and dropping into protection, has posted 21 tackles, two quarterback hits and one sack in his rookie 12 months. Atlanta’s teaching workers has repeatedly expressed its pleasure in his improvement and believes he is trending in the precise path coming into subsequent season.

So, whereas the lack of a franchise nice is troublesome to simply accept, the Falcons seem to have come off on the higher finish of the Ryan commerce, because it pertains to each the short- and long-term.

You’ll be able to observe Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

Get your HOTlanta Falcons recreation tickets from SI Tickets … right here!

Need the most recent in breaking information and insider info on the Falcons? Click on Right here.

Comply with Falcon Report on Twitter.

Need much more Atlanta Falcons information? Take a look at the Si.com group web page right here