Colts' Matt Ryan on Falcons: 'It was time to go in a different direction'

After 14 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan will be wearing a new uniform in 2022 after getting traded to the Indianapolis Colts on Monday. In his first press conference in Indianapolis, Ryan said he isn't lamenting the change.

"I just knew the roster [the Colts] have and the belief in the way they do things, the time was right for me," Ryan said Tuesday, via ESPN. "I knew that it was time to go in a different direction."

Ryan, 36, missed only three games during his time with the Falcons after he was picked third overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He ranks eighth all-time in passing yards and ninth in passing touchdowns. In 2016, Ryan earned MVP honors after throwing 38 touchdowns with seven interceptions and leading the Falcons to Super Bowl LI.

Atlanta was reportedly a finalist to acquire Deshaun Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans. Watson was instead traded to the Cleveland Browns, but the damage was done and led to Ryan getting dealt to the Colts.

"It's definitely been a whirlwind of a week for sure on my end," Ryan said. "This time last week we didn't know how it was going to shake out. From the time it started last week until we sit here today, I thought everybody handled everything professionally. I didn't like everything I heard, but you don't always like what you hear sometimes."

Ryan finished the 2021 season with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Falcons ended the year 7-10 while the Colts finished 9-8.