Quarterback Matt Ryan. Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons trade four-time Pro Bowl QB Matt Ryan to Colts

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 3/21/22

The Indianapolis Colts have officially ended their search for a new starting quarterback, getting veteran gun-slinger Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons on Monday.

Falcons are trading QB Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts, sources tell @diannaESPN, @mortreport and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2022

Compensation: a 2022 third-round pick, per sources. Deal officially agreed to. https://t.co/8B2PxPHAmu
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2022

Rumors that Ryan, 36, was open to being traded began to surface when it became clear the Falcons were in on acquiring Deshaun Watson. Those rumors really gained steam over the 24 hours leading to the trade, accompanied by reports Atlanta was actively fielding trade calls about Ryan and that the deadline for the QB to earn his roster bonus was Monday afternoon.

In the end, however, it appears Ryan is ready for a fresh start with a new team.

Based on multiple conversations over the last 24 hours, this was not an easy decision for the Falcons and for QB Matt Ryan. The talks heated up about 24 hours ago. There was always a chance Ryan could get cold feet and but in the end he was ready for change, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 21, 2022

Matt Ryan never asked the Falcons for a new contract -- that was not a part of the equation, per sources. He just felt like the time had come to move on from Atlanta. Ryan signed off on a trade to Indianapolis because he felt like the Colts have a roster that's built to win now.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2022

While the move should give the Colts a nice offensive boost with Ryan in to replace now-departed Carson Wentz, the Falcons now have another hole on their offense that needs to be filled. In addition to needing a new starting quarterback, Atlanta has a hole at wide receiver to fill with Calvin Ridley being suspended for at least the 2022 season for betting on NFL games.

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