Indianapolis Colts: 5 possible quarterback scenarios heading into 2021

3. Matt Ryan

Reports suggest Matt Ryan won’t be traded, but the Colts could convince them otherwise.

The Atlanta Falcons have the fourth overall pick and will presumably take one of the top quarterbacks that are available. This would leave the 35-year-old Matt Ryan either packing his bags or preparing the team to transition away from him within the next season or two.

This past season, the Falcons cleaned house. Goodbye Dan Quinn. Goodbye everyone in the front office. New regime incoming! Just a few years removed from a life-altering loss in the Super Bowl, the Falcons are getting closer to rebuilding than most people are willing to admit.

Although the front office is currently taking the stance that Ryan will be on the Falcons in 2021, things can change, as we all know. The Falcons are in the same situation the Colts were in when Peyton Manning left the team. They have an aging star receiver with injury issues, a defense that can’t stop a nose bleed, and an offensive line that needs more help than you’re willing to give them.

This is why if the Colts came in and offered a conservative bargain for the Falcons, say a second-round pick (he has cap hits of $41 million, $41 million and $36 million over the next three years), I don’t see why the Falcons wouldn’t make that deal with their current roster needing massive improvements.

Then again, his contract situation could dissuade Ballard.

Ryan has played well even with back-to-back 4-12 seasons with an organization that doesn’t seem to care about the atrocious offensive line and awful running game. Ryan would come to Indianapolis with an offensive-minded coach, two fantastic young running backs, an offensive line that only allowed 14 sacks last year, a Super Bowl-ready roster, and a defense that’s top 10 in every category — all things he doesn’t have in Atlanta.