Who is Colts’ backup quarterback after Matt Ryan benching?
The Indianapolis Colts benched veteran quarterback Matt Ryan and shook up their entire quarterback depth chart for the season.
After falling to 3-3-1 on Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that they are benching veteran quarterback Matt Ryan and starting second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger for the remainder of the season. Although Ryan suffered a Grade 2 shoulder separation, Indianapolis explained that this change at quarterback would’ve been made regardless of Ryan’s injury.
Now, the young Ehlinger receives the keys to a talented Indianapolis roster that is still in a striking position to make noise this season. Indy is only second in the AFC South and can still win the division or make the playoffs as a wildcard team with 10 games left.
Who is the Colts’ starting quarterback?
The starting quarterback in Indianapolis is Sam Ehlinger. Ehlinger was drafted by Indy in the sixth round of the 2021 Draft. After spending his first season and a half as a reserve quarterback for the Colts, he was elevated to starter after Week 7 of the 2022 NFL season. Indy drafted Ehlinger after his productive college career at the University of Texas.
At Texas, Ehlinger started for the Longhorns for four years. In his college career, he played in 46 games and threw for 11,436 yards and 94 touchdowns to 27 interceptions. Ehlinger also added 1,903 rushing yards and another 33 touchdowns on the ground.
Who is the Colts’ backup quarterback?
With Sam Ehlinger now starting, Indy’s backup is Nick Foles. Foles, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, joined Indianapolis this offseason to reunite with head coach Frank Reich. Foles has played for six NFL teams and a total of 11 seasons in the NFL. He has 14,003 career passing yards and 83 passing touchdowns to 43 interceptions.
Prior to the NFL, Foles was a standout at Arizona after starting his college career at Michigan State. Playing in only one game at Michigan State, Foles’ college career is remembered for his three years at Arizona where he threw for 10,011 yards and 67 touchdowns to 33 interceptions. He was drafted in the third round of the 2012 Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Foles is considered one of the NFL’s best backups and now he will do his best to support Sam Ehlinger as he takes over for the Indianapolis Colts.
