Sam Ehlinger’s NFL debut as the Indianapolis Colts’ signal caller ended in a heartbreaking 17-16 loss, but the rookie did enough to win.
As usual, Indy rod the back of Derrick Henry who rushed for 219 yards on 32 carries (6.8 yards per) with two touchdowns. Henry’s sixth career 200-yard rushing performance ties him with Adrian Peterson and O.J. Simpson for most in NFL history.
Colts Quarterback History Rough Since Andrew Luck
Under current head coach Frank Reich, the Indianapolis Colts haven’t had much success with the quarterback position. When Reich was hired in 2018, he had generational talent Andrew Luck, but following that lone season together, the aforementioned Luck retired due to nagging injuries.
Since Luck’s premature departure, the team has had a revolving door of retreads play the position, including Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and this season Matt Ryan. Taking that route instead of adding a young signal-caller to either develop or play right away seems to have backfired.
Ryan, the 2016 NFL MVP with the Atlanta Falcons, struggled mightily this season under center with 12 turnovers. Following last week’s loss to the division rival Titans, head coach Frank Reich made the announcement that the team was moving on from Ryan for the remainder of the 2022 season. Rookie Sam Ehilinger would get a shot to run the offense.
The move came as a shock to many, and on Sunday team owner Robert Irsay told ESPN NFP insider Chris Mortensen that he played a role in the move being made. “Mort” tweeted the following as it pertains to his chat with the outspoken Irsay.
“Irsay praised Ryan as a “true pro and leader,” but “Matt understands you can’t have 12 turnovers … the competitor in him wants to play.” “Our line let him down. He’s injured.. he’s shellshocked.” Sam Ehlinger talks heated up after Denver game, but “you don’t fire a QB after a W.”
Colts owner @JimIrsay said early this morning that he empowered HC Frank Reich to make the change at QB from veteran Matt Ryan to Sam Ehlinger, a 6th rd pick in 2021, and was "excited" and that he, Reich and GM Chris Ballard were in "lockstep" on the move.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 30, 2022
Irsay Was Singing A Different Tune About Ryan Over The Summer
During an August interview at the team’s training camps facility, Irsay raved about Ryan’s leadership. He even said “Matty Ice” would lead the team to its next Lombardi Trophy.
“I think the concerns were addressed with probably even in a more exciting way than I hoped. We’re really excited about that and we really feel this is an outstanding football team with a lot of veteran leadership. It’s proven that we can get more turnovers than anyone in the league, it’s the best special teams group in the league, it has the best running back in the league with obviously the great player in Tennessee. So, there is so many positive things and I think Matt Ryan has been everything we hoped for and dreamed for.”
When asked about his expectations for the team under Ryan, Irsay was blunt saying, “It’s to go and get the next Lombardi Trophy.”
Irsay was also the one who pulled the plug on the Carson Wentz experiment after just one season. In comments following the Wentz trade, Irsay mentioned how you must move on from a mistake instead of trying to keep living with it going forward. And that’s exactly what Irsay and the Colts did in swapping Wentz for Ryan.
Colts owner Jim Irsay clarified, rather emphatically, that he is giving no thought to firing Frank Reich as head coach or Chris Ballard as GM.
"I'm in a great spot with Chris and Frank. We're all re-energized with the move to Sam Ehlinger. Nothing is easy but feel really good."— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 30, 2022
Now it looks like they made another mistake by adding an aging and over-the-hill Ryan.
The Colts didn’t fare much better on Sunday with Ehlinger making his NFL debut. He was 17-for-23 for 201 yards and no touchdowns, btu he also didn’t fumble the ball around the field and throw picks like former starter Matt Ryan was doing. Ehlinger was not expected to assume the starting role this quickly, but Irsay probably had a hand in that decision as well.
After the game, Colts head coach Frank Reich discussed his latest quarterback’s performance.
“I mean, certainly no disrespect to Matt (Ryan) because I thought he had some good moments, and we already talked about that, but I thought Sam (Ehlinger) looked good,” Reich told reporters. “He looked really poised. He threw it well. Yeah, I thought he played well.”
Irsay Has Been Outspoken In His Opinion Of Commanders Owner Dan Snyder
During the NFL Fall League Meetings in New York, Irsay said what the other NFL owners have been talking about for months now.
“I believe that there’s merit to remove him as owner of the Commanders. I think it’s something that we have to review, we have to look at all the evidence and we have to be thorough going forward, but I think it’s something that has to be given serious consideration.”
As the two teams met Sunday in Indy, Irsay made it clear he doesn’t make it a point to visit with other team owners prior to or during games and he wouldn’t be doing so with Snyder either.
And that he didn’t.
