Jim Irsay: 'It was very obvious' Colts needed upgrade over Carson Wentz

At this point, it seems few high-ranking members of the Indianapolis Colts will fondly remember the single season Carson Wentz spent as the club's starting quarterback. 

Owner Jim Irsay, head coach Frank Reich and general manager Chris Ballard all elected against verbally committing to Wentz as their QB1 earlier this winter before the Colts shipped the 29-year-old to the Washington Commanders. Later, a story broke claiming that some within the franchise "grew frustrated" with the signal-caller "at what they deemed a lack of leadership, a resistance to hard coaching and a reckless style of play, which had a role in several close losses this year." 

The Colts went on to acquire Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons, and Irsay left little doubt when speaking with reporters Tuesday he feels his team upgraded at the sport's most important position. 

"It's just, for us, it was just it was something that we had to move away from as a franchise — it was very obvious," Irsay explained, according to Zak Keefer of The Athletic. 

As for trading for Ryan, Irsay said he was "extremely grateful to the football Gods, so to speak, (regarding) where we were compared to where we are." 

The Colts missed out on the playoffs after falling to the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars over the season's final two weeks. Irsay made it clear the Week 18 26-11 loss at Jacksonville impacted his offseason plans: