ATLANTA — After 14 seasons in which he became the best quarterback in franchise history, Matt Ryan is moving on from the Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta traded Ryan on Monday to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2022 third-round draft pick, the team announced.
The Falcons moved quickly to add Ryan’s possible successor, agreeing to a two-year contract with quarterback Marcus Mariota, who is familiar with coach Arthur Smith’s offensive scheme from their time together with the Tennessee Titans. Mariota’s deal is worth two-year, $18.75 million, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Smith and Mariota worked together in multiple capacities in the five years they were together with the Titans, including Mariota’s six games as a starter during the 2019 season. That was Smith’s first year as the Titans’ offensive coordinator.
The Colts were desperate for a quarterback after they traded Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders for third-round picks in 2022 and 2023. Ryan will be the Colts’ seventh different Week 1 starter in as many years and the fifth different starting quarterback in coach Frank Reich’s tenure.
The Colts and Ryan are restructuring his contract, with a source telling ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that the two years and $53.9 million remaining on his deal are now guaranteed in some form, largely in full, which also could provide Indianapolis with some cap relief.
The third-round pick the Colts are sending the Falcons for Ryan is their original third-rounder, No. 82 overall, not one of the picks they got from Washington for Wentz, a source told ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
“We’re thrilled we had a chance to acquire a proven veteran in Matt Ryan who brings tremendous experience to our team,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in a statement. “Matt’s leadership and skillset will complement our roster’s growth and success. He’s long been a great ambassador for the NFL and the…
Source : espn
