“Not the season we expected,” Jeff Saturday explains his decision to bench Matt Ryan after a HIDEOUS loss against the Vikings
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Matt Ryan and Nick Foles
Indianapolis Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday has explained his shocking decision to bench Matt Ryan and start Nick Foles at the quarterback position against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football.
Saturday announced this decision at the very beginning of his press conference on Wednesday afternoon. He said the decision to bench Matt Ryan was not an easy one, and he thinks the world of Matt. But Saturday believes that Nick Foles gives them the best chance to win on Monday. He went on to praise Matt Ryan as ‘Pro’s Pro’ and he appreciates the way Matt handled the decision.
The interim head coach admitted that this was not the season Matt, and the team expected and he feels bad for him. “Obviously not the season he (Matt Ryan) expected, nor the Colts as a whole, so feel bad for Matt but our ultimate feel is that nick gives us the best chance to win,” said Saturday. When asked about the deciding factor behind this tough decision, Saturday told the media that he just didn’t feel that the team did not make any plays offensively and while he acknowledged that this offensive mess is not only on Matt Ryan but he feels like Nick will give them the best chance at winning.
Jeff was also questioned about whether Nick’s job is a week-to-week evaluation, to which he answered that while he’s gonna evaluate Nick just like everyone else, hopefully, Nick Foles plays well to avoid such doubts in the future. “Hopefully he plays well enough, it leaves no doubt,” said Saturday. Jeff also said he hasn’t decided on who is gonna be the backup yet.
Nick Foles was signed as a free agent back on May 23, 2022. He has won a Super Bowl MVP with Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 after throwing for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns. Foles last started a game in the 2021 season for Chicago Bears against the Seattle Seahawks.
Matt Ryan is near the end
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2022 off-season. Colts gave up a 3rd round (82nd overall) draft pick in the 2022 NFL draft to acquire Matt Ryan.
So far, the trade has not been working well for the Colts. The Colts were hoping for an upgrade at the quarterback position after trading Carson Wentz to Washington Commanders. But Ryan has been awful. He has thrown for 3,057 yards and 14 touchdowns and has also thrown 13 interceptions. He is ranked 25th in quarterback rating this season and now he’s got benched for the second time in the season.
Matt Ryan was drafted as the No.3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He has thrown for 62,792 yards and 381 touchdowns in 14 seasons. He won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 2016 when he led the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl.
Ryan had been consistent over the years and has given the Falcons’ fans many things to be happy about, but now age has caught up to him. Getting benched two times in the same season for a rookie and another aging NFL journeyman should be a clear sign that the end is near for the veteran. Meanwhile, Matt Ryan’s wife is Sarah Marshall, and the couple got married in 2010.
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