Colts set to cut ties with Matt Ryan, source says

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have been squarely focused on the future of their quarterback position.

And that future is not expected to include Matt Ryan.

Indianapolis is planning to release the veteran quarterback and 2016 NFL Most Valuable Player, a team source confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday, which will bring an end to a disappointing single season as the Colts' starter.

The move comes just days before Ryan was due a $10 million roster bonus on Friday and will clear more than $17 million in salary cap space.

Ryan and the Colts agreed to a restructured contract last year that called for $12 million of his 2023 base salary to be guaranteed, meaning the Colts will remain on the hook for that sum.

Ryan was traded to Indianapolis in March 2022 from his longtime team, the Atlanta Falcons. But the Colts' decision, widely lauded as a savvy move at the time, turned out to be ill-fated. They went 4-12-1 last season, and Ryan was benched on two occasions — once for Sam Ehlinger and then for Nick Foles.

The Colts finished the season 31st in scoring largely because of their poor quarterback play.

• Breaking down Geno Smith's new contract • What Falcons' $233M spending spree means • GM Caserio's approach unwavering • Will Lamar Jackson return to Baltimore?

Left undetermined is whether Ryan plans to continue playing. Ryan, who turns 38 in May, said following the season that he'd like to consider his options. But he added that he wanted to step away and take a break before making any final decisions.

Whatever he decides, Ryan's legacy is secure. He's one of just two players in league history with 10 consecutive seasons of at least 4,000 passing yards. He'll be most remembered for quarterbacking the Falcons team that succumbed