Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay believes team is in position for ‘another generation of greatness and next Lombardi Trophy’ after trading for Matt Ryan
- Indianapolis Colts traded for a 2022 third round pick to Atlanta for Matt Ryan
- Jim Irsay thinks that the team has been held back by inconsistent qb play
- ‘We’re set up for excellence. Now we just have to do it’ said the Colts owner
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has decided to make some very bold claims about his new quarterback. The Colts traded for 37-year-old Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons and it appears Irsay has all the confidence in the world in him.
‘It’s to go and get that next Lombardi Trophy. This is a time to set up another generation of greatness,’ Irsay told The Athletic.
The Colts have been looking to regain the greatness they once had when Peyton Manning was leading the team’s offense.
Matt Ryan lifts his helmet during warmups before the Colts and Bills preseason game
Jim Irsay walks off the field before game between Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015
Colts fans thought they had the heir apparent when they drafted Andrew Luck in 2012 but he shockingly retired before the 2019 preseason.
Since then they have tried Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers and Carson Wentz, non of them were able to hold the job long term.
It is now Ryan’s turn to see if he can lead the Colts back to the elusive Lombardi Trophy that has evaded them since 2007.
Ryan throws ball from end zone during warmups before preseason game in Buffalo
Ryan hands the ball to running back Nyheim Hines during first half of preseason game
‘We went through the season with some inconsistency at quarterback that led to massive problems,’ Irsay said
‘We’re set up for excellence. Now we just have to do it. And Matt Ryan has that same feeling in his heart. You know that difficult loss to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. He’s here to get his Lombardi. This is the time.’
Ryan lost the Super Bowl to the Patriots in a game that saw Atlanta fodder away a 28-3 lead at halftime to lose 34-28 in overtime.
Irsay on the field before game between the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts in 2019
Even with the ‘inconsistency that led to massive problems,’ the Colts still finished the season with a 9-8 record that saw the nearly make the playoffs if not for an embarrassing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ryan’s final year with the Falcons on the other hand ended on a much sober note after Atlanta could only muster a 7-10 record.
Ryan will begin his adventures Indianapolis when the Colts travel to Houston on September 11th to open the regular season against the division rival Texans.
Ryan stands on sideline watching his teammates play during third quarter of preseason game