INDIANAPOLIS – How short-term of a move is Matt Ryan for the Colts?
After 14 seasons in Atlanta, the 36-year-old Ryan (turns 37 in May) comes to Indianapolis with two years left on his current contract.
For that reason, along with the Colts having no intriguing young QB in-waiting, many believe this is a two-year partnership between Ryan and Indy.
If you ask Ryan though, he views it a little bit more long-term.
“I’ve said from the start, I’d like to play as long as I can,” Ryan shared earlier this week. “I feel really good, my body feels really good. I still feel like I can play at as high a level as I ever have and as long as that is.
“Nobody has a crystal ball to know exactly how long it’s going to be. As long as I feel good and feel like I can play well, I’m going to try and play.”
Ryan has missed an astonishing 3 games in his career (played and started in 222 games). He missed 1 game back in 2019. Prior to that, having to sit out 2 games in 2009 was the last time he wasn’t under center for a game.
Having said that, the Colts cannot operate with the assumption that Ryan is a lock to play past this season.
Yes, Ryan’s words indicate that. But the Colts also thought Anthony Castonzo (32 years old) would play two years when he re-signed with the team in 2020. The same could be said for Philip Rivers (39 years old) when he came to Indy in 2020.
Both Castonzo and Rivers played just one more season though, leaving the Colts scrambling again at those important positions.
One definite difference between the Rivers and Ryan situations comes from the family aspect.
Rivers made it clear that he wanted to start coaching his oldest son in high school football when that time came. For Ryan, if he has similar hopes, his two sons are just 4 years old, so still a ways away from competitive sports.
When you look at what Rivers, Tom Brady and Drew Brees have done (or “are: doing in Brady’s case), and factor in Ryan avoiding injuries, you can see why he has so much optimism.
“I’m still pretty young,” Ryan says. “It definitely changes quickly. But I feel good. I really do. My body feels great. I feel like I’ve gotten into a space where I know how to take care of myself, I know what I need to do in order to train. I know the support staff here and the sports science department here is probably as good as any in the league. I’m curious to learn from them as well. I feel great. So, I don’t feel like an old man. I’ve got twin 4-year-old boys that keep me fresh. I feel good. I feel really good.”
