Matt Ryan has a shocking answer when asked how many years he wants to play with Colts
Ahead of his first season with the Indianapolis Colts, Matt Ryan talks about how long he hopes to be the quarterback in Indy.
The quarterback carousel for the Indianapolis Colts has been well covered by NFL media. Indy is entering its fifth consecutive year with a new starting quarterback. Five quarterbacks in five years for head coach Frank Reich, that’s been the story. However, Indianapolis is hoping that changes with its most recent starting quarterback.
The Colts traded for veteran Matt Ryan earlier this offseason and he’s under contract for two more seasons. So far, both Ryan and Indy have been enjoying the new partnership and all signs point to them making it to a second season. Of course, all that could change after a 17-game season but it’s a safe bet to say that Ryan will be back in 2023.
However, Matt Ryan is 37 years old and is entering his 15th season in the NFL, so Indianapolis entered this relationship knowing that Ryan isn’t the long-term answer. He may be able to provide two consecutive years, but at 37, he’s not the franchise quarterback of the future. That doesn’t mean that Ryan isn’t planning to be around in Indianapolis for a long time.
Although Matt Ryan is only currently under contract for this season and the next, his mindset is preparing for many more years with the Colts. In a recent conversation with Peter King, King told Ryan how Frank Reich and the Colts don’t think that he’d be one-and-done like the quarterbacks before him. This led King to ask Ryan, “Is it more likely you’re one-and-done or six-and-done?”
Ryan enthusiastically answered that he’s hoping for the six-and-done option. He talked about how great he feels physically and mentally and how he’s still performing pretty well, and as a result, Ryan said, “it’s more likely six than it is one.”
Matt Ryan could be with Colts for six more years
Six more years would put Ryan at 43 years old and 20 seasons. It’s feasible based on how long some other quarterbacks throughout the league have played, but the question is how long will Ryan be a competent quarterback. It’s great to have a guy around for years, but the most important thing is that he’s still performing well.
The Colts have done a great job at building the roster around the quarterback position so Ryan should be able to thrive this year. As long as he’s playing well, it’s safe to assume Indy will keep welcoming him back. The only reason the Colts will end things with Ryan is if his play declines or if the franchise finds a young quarterback that they believe is ready to take the reigns. Until one of those things happens, Matt Ryan will be the quarterback in Indianapolis.
