Ryan excited about new start with Colts
Matt Ryan was ready for a change and Indianapolis seemed like the perfect place to make a title run.
The 14-year NFL veteran and 2016 league MVP left Atlanta and arrived at his new team complex Tuesday, hoping to become the third straight veteran quarterback to win a Super Bowl in his first season with a new team.
“Yeah, it looks really good what Matthew Stafford did in Los Angles last year, making that transition work so well, and what Tom (Brady) did, I saw that first-hand in the division the year before,” Ryan said. “I hope we can ride that trend that’s been going on and make it work for us.”
The Colts certainly believe he can after giving up a third-round pick, No. 82 overall, to acquire Ryan on Monday.
They’re also hoping the four-time Pro Bowler who led Atlanta to its second Super Bowl appearance following the 2016 season can stabilize a position that’s been in a state of flux. Ryan is expected to become Indy’s sixth different opening-day starter in six years this fall.
Ryan has been down this path before.
In 2008, the 23-year-old rookie from Boston College went to the Falcons with expectations of rescuing a franchise reeling from coach Bobby Petrino’s resignation after just 13 games and the imprisonment of quarterback Michael Vick for running a dogfighting ring.
