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Matt Ryan could be the partner that stops the Indianapolis Colts from a string of shotgun marriages at quarterback.
The Colts traded a third-round draft pick to the Falcons for Ryan last week. The 36-year-old former NFL MVP, who has missed one start in the last 12 seasons, replaced Carson Wentz, who was traded to the Commanders.
“I think everyone saw from the outside that this is a good fit,” Colts coach Frank Reich told NFL Network on Sunday at the NFL owners’ meeting. “Like, people can universally agree you got a guy who’s still playing at a high level with a team and roster that is built to make some noise. We needed each other.”
The Colts are the first team in NFL history to have a different quarterback make at least 15 starts in four straight seasons (Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers and Wentz). If Ryan stays healthy, the streak should become five different primary quarterbacks in five years — and, more importantly, the Colts should be able to contend with the Titans atop the AFC South for what could be the only playoff berth available.
With the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders loading up this offseason to challenge the Chiefs in the AFC West and the once-lowly Bengals and Browns possibly surpassing the Ravens and Steelers atop the AFC North, wild-card playoff berths are going to be hard to come by.
After losing Super Bowl LI and then a quick exit in the playoffs the following year, the Falcons endured four straight losing seasons and were handcuffed by Ryan’s huge contract. Stopgap quarterback Marcus Mariota was signed to begin a new era without Ryan or Julio Jones (traded to the Titans last season and then released) or Calvin Ridley (suspended for a year due to gambling).
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