Colts to start Sam Ehlinger over Matt Ryan
The Indianapolis Colts have decided to bench quarterback Matt Ryan and instead start Sam Ehlinger for the rest of the season.
This Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts face the Washington Commanders, but this week, they’ll play with a different face under center - a face we’ll be seeing for a while, it seems. Matt Ryan suffered a shoulder injury in their 19-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans last week, but that would only keep him out for a little while. And yet, Colts coach Frank Reich said they plan to keep Ryan on the bench for the rest of the season.
“We are going to make a significant change to the starting lineup,” said Reich. “We are going to elevate Sam [Ehlinger] to be the starting quarterback.”
Matt Ryan has thrown the most interceptions (9) in the league, he’s fumbled 11 times, losing three, and has lost the most yards through fumbles (184) in the NFL this season. Two of those interceptions came in the loss to the Titans on Sunday and one was run back for a touchdown. The Colts are 3-3-1 on the season and their problems on offense have to improve. The first step for them is making the change at the quarterback position. Ehlinger was given the QB2 spot just a few weeks ago over Nick Foles, and now he will become the QB1.
“It’s an extremely difficult decision given the respect and admiration that we have for Matt Ryan, with what he’s done, and what he’s brought here,” Reich said. “But Matt is committed to helping this team in every way he can.”
24-year-old Ehlinger has only played 18 regular season games in his career and has never thrown a pass in a regular season game, but he performed well in the preseason and Reich has been impressed by him in practices. The Colts have needed a solution at quarterback for a long time now. When he starts on Sunday, Ehlinger will be the seventh quarterback to start for the Colts since Reich became head coach in 2018.
“I’m excited for Sam and the opportunity this presents for him,” said Reich. “We’ve always thought from day one that Sam had some kind of special sauce. He’s continued to show it. I’ve been particularly impressed with Sam this year in practice. Once the season has started, the look he’s given on scout team, the quality of his throws, the way he’s commanding himself out there, just the total package. So, I just feel like at this point, that’s the best decision.”