Indianapolis Colts QB, Matt Ryan (2) runs drills during the Indianapolis Colts mandatory mini training camp on Wednesday, May 8, 2022, at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Colts reportedly ‘thrilled’ with ‘urgency’ Matt Ryan’s bringing in 2022

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 8/9/22

There are some high expectations for the Indianapolis Colts this season, and it looks like the organization’s front office and coaching staff have been blown away by their new starting quarterback Matt Ryan.

After an impressive 11-5 finish in head coach Frank Reich’s third season two years ago, the Colts took a disappointing step back in 2021 as they finished 9-8 and fell short of a playoff birth. While he wasn’t the entire reason for their inconsistent play, Carson Wentz became the public scapegoat for their performance and it’s why he was traded early on in the offseason.

The Colts decided to move Wentz despite no clear plan on who would eventually replace him. However, the franchise was able to acquire former league MVP, Ryan, from a Falcons organization in the midst of a complete rebuild.

According to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano on a Tuesday morning edition of "SportsCenter," the Colts couldn’t be any happier with Ryan and what he has brought to their locker room this summer.

“They’ve been very thrilled with Matt Ryan so far in Indy. I had a chance to talk with their general manager Chris Ballard on Saturday when I was at their camp. He said the thing about Matt Ryan is the urgency. No one in this league knows what it’s like to get this close to a title and not quite get there. So he has that urgency and makes sure that everybody else on the team has it as well.

“I’m hearing a lot of the same things from the Colts that I heard two years ago when they had Philip Rivers in the building at quarterback. About veteran leadership, about love for the game, and how that spreads throughout the building.”

The Rivers comparison is important because he was the man under center in that 11-5 season two years ago. The Colts begin their preseason schedule on Saturday, Aug. 13, against the Buffalo Bills.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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