Matt Ryan after benching — Need to embrace being Colts backup

INDIANAPOLIS — Matt Ryan got here to work Monday morning planning to rehab his sore proper shoulder and switch his consideration to the Washington Commanders.

However the Indianapolis Colts quarterback was as a substitute hit with the gorgeous information that he had misplaced his beginning job to 2021 sixth-round decide Sam Ehlinger.

“As a participant, you simply at all times anticipate, you are preparing, you are gonna go,” Ryan stated Wednesday in his first feedback because the Colts’ determination. “And in order that’s the place your mindset’s at. There’s a little bit shock and shock firstly, however it’s a call they needed to make and, as a participant, as a teammate, it’s a must to transfer ahead and you’ve got gotta assist out the place you may.”

Ryan has missed simply three begins in his 15-year profession and has by no means been a backup, even in his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons. However after committing 12 turnovers in his first seven video games in Indianapolis, he now finds himself sitting behind a 24-year-old who has by no means thrown a go in a regular-season recreation — a place Ryan will maintain even after he returns from his separated shoulder, in response to coach Frank Reich.

“It isn’t one thing I’ve handled,” Ryan stated of being a backup. “However I have been round a very long time and seen that it occurs.

“So I’ve at all times preached that you’ve got gotta settle for and embrace the function that they determine for you and try to be one of the best in that function that you may be. And that is what I will do.”

Reich, requested why the Colts are making such a dramatic transfer despite their 3-3-1 document and second-place standing within the AFC South, rejected the concept that Indianapolis is giving up on the season.

“I can inform you this for positive: No person is waving the white flag,” Reich stated. “It isn’t in my DNA. It isn’t in our gamers’ DNA. I’d by no means do this in 1,000,000 years. I simply could not do this.”

As for the workforce’s response to the quarterback determination, middle Ryan Kelly steered the response was combined.

“Everyone’s obtained their very own opinions about it,” Kelly stated. “I am not gonna get into mine, however definitely, I feel everyone’s just a little bit shocked. So it’s what it’s.”