By: Jake Rajala

Matt Ryan has been a steady sharpshooter at the quarterback position since he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons third overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Matty Ice threw 4,000+ passing yards for 10 straight seasons (from the 2011 season through the 2020 campaign). The clean-cut QB has also thrown six seasons of 28+ passing touchdowns. In 2016, he even won the holiest award (MVP) by throwing 4,944 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and having a 69.9 completion percentage. Furthermore, he led his team to the big dance in the 2016-2017 season (despite it not ending well). It should also be noted that Drew Brees, Troy Aikman, and Russell Wilson don’t even possess an MVP ring.

However.

Ryan’s baggage tells a different tale.

The god in the 2-minute drill didn’t oust a winning season in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. He also hasn’t thrown 30+ passing TDs since the 2018 season. Without Julio Jones, the former Falcons QB registered 3,968 passing yds (fourth-lowest in career), 20 passing TDs (second-fewest in career), and 12 ints in 2021.

I anticipated Ryan to excel in a Colts uniform, but it was clear that he couldn’t uplift his young wideouts & new offense in Week 1. The rook Alec Pierce dropped a pass in the end-zone for an easy touchdown. In a less appetizing fashion, Ryan unleashed an interception to DE Jerry Hughes in Week 1, as well.

At this point, I do feel Ryan is a tad overrated. I don’t love that he failed to put down the Houston Texans — even with a productive Jonathan Taylor. It’s worrisome that he doesn’t have Alec Pierce next week & that his WR group with or without Pierce isn’t sexy. I would be ecstatic if the Colts signed OBJ – which would bring a lot of optimism to the Colts fan base.

I’m not also a big fan of how the Colts QB compares to other AFC field generals. I wouldn’t be blind-sided if Tua Tagovailoa and Carson Wentz (which is a bit ironic) have a more robust 2022 campaign with their new weaponry. Ryan may very well be a future Hall of Famer & he could find a groove with the Colts at some point, but it doesn’t look like he will mow down opposing defenses and be a Top-10 QB in the near future.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Indianapolis Colts made a beautiful, unexpected move in acquiring Matt Ryan this off-season. Matty Ice has been a stat machine and a clutch performer throughout his 14 seasons in the NFL. Ryan has accumulated 59,735 passing yards and 367 passing touchdowns in his career. His best season unequivocally arrived in 2016 when he unleashed 4,944 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and won regular-season MVP. Let’s not forget that Ryan led his squad to the Super Bowl in the 2016-2017 season, as well (despite the Falcons having a heart-breaking loss).

As Ryan enters a new chapter in his career with the Indianapolis Colts, there is already a fascinating question that many NFL (and Atlanta) fans have regarding Ryan: Is Matt Ryan a future Hall of Famer?

I honestly do believe that Ryan is already a future Hall of Famer. Of course, Ryan and the NFL world would give him a lot more props for picking up his first Super Bowl ring. However, I believe his consistent high-end success & authentic triumphs (even stacked with unusual losses) should place him in Canton if he retired today. Although, I don’t believe he would be a first-ballot HOFer if he hung up his cleats today.

Ryan stacks up well to the former Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo (and current NFL analyst) and I believe the former Boys QB is headed to Canton. Here is an in-depth look at Ryan’s resume and Romo’s resume:

Ryan

• 59,735 passing yards
• 367 passing touchdowns
• 65.5% completion percentage
• 120 victories to 102 losses
• MVP in 2016
• Four-time Pro Bowl selection
• First-Team All-Pro in 2016

Romo

• 34,183 passing yards
• 248 passing touchdowns
• 65.3% completion percentage
• 78 victories to 49 losses
• Four-time Pro Bowl selection

Ryan and Romo also differ in other ways, as well. Ryan stands as the seventh-best QB in comebacks of all time (33 comebacks), while Romo has 24 comebacks in his career (which rank at 18th of all time). Meanwhile, Romo has a career passer rating of 97.1 & Ryan carries a passer rating of 94.2.

All in all, I believe that Ryan has a slightly more impressive career output than the former Boys gunslinger. Hence, I do conclude that Ryan already deserves to be in football heaven and he could perhaps be a first-ballot HOFer if he wins his elusive Super Bowl ring.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Indianapolis Colts are looking to be a force in an AFC conference featuring the entire AFC West division, the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills, and the lethal QB-WR duo in Cincinnati. It’s safe to say that the focus for the Colts Super Bowl aspirations is on the clock.

The Colts recently brought back Super Bowl magic from Nick Foles, as Foles and Reich are reunited. The former Eagles legend that is four years younger than Matty Ice is slotted as the QB2 in Indy. He was able to garner a victory in his lone start last season.

The Colts also signed RB Ty’Son Williams today and he will be a nice addition to the offense. It’s safe to say that the Colts will have an impressive RB room with Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, Lindsay, and Williams. It’s wise for Reich to add the right RB pieces in May, so the Colts aren’t scrambling for a practice squad RB from a different roster.

It’s safe to say that fans are excited for new icons like Foles during OTAs, but they are more ecstatic for the beloved Matt Ryan and Jonathan Taylor to take the field together. Alec Pierce is also a player to keep an eye on. ESPN’s Louis Riddick believes that Pierce could even win Offensive Rookie of The Year.

The Colts defense will also have former DPOY Stephon Gilmore. If Gilmore can shine next to Darius Leonard, the Colts could certainly have a defense that can make life miserable for the mega arm AFC QBs. Hopefully, the new pieces on the Colts offense and defense can jell together before August kicks around.

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