Matt Ryan Traded to Colts from Falcons for 2022 3rd-Round NFL Draft Pick

The Atlanta Falcons traded Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a third-round draft pick.

The deal was reported by the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

The Falcons have missed the playoffs for four straight seasons, but they haven't torn their roster down to the studs. Many argued that the franchise needed to move on from Ryan, who is 37 on May 17.

The financial implications of trading away the four-time Pro Bowler were the issue for the front office.

Marcus Mariota was signed by Atlanta after the Ryan trade. The head coach and the quarterback worked together with the TennesseeTitans.

Terry Fontenot could use a long-term successor to Ryan in the draft, after passing on Justin Fields and Mac Jones last year.

That route is not without risk because of the lack of star prospects at QB. The top 50 of Bleacher Report's big board featured only two signal-callers.

The Falcons might be trying to buy themselves time before looking at the quarterback landscape more seriously next year.

The trade for an experienced QB was inevitable for the Colts after they shipped Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders. Sam Ehlinger or one of the rookies from the 2022 draft class were not going to be taken by Indianapolis.

Ryan was the player who won the Most Valuable Player award in 2016 but he was not a steady producer. He completed 67 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,968 yards, 20 touchdown and 12 interceptions.

The Colts won 11 games and reached the playoffs in 2020 while leaning on a 39-year-old Philip Rivers under center. An elite quarterback is not required to make the playoffs if the Indianapolis supporting cast is good.

Matt Lombardo @MattLombardoNFL

Matt Ryan landing in the AFC, with the #Colts, not only vaults Indianapolis into the AFC South catbird seat but adds another top-15 QB to a conference that is historically deep at the position, already. #NFL https://t.co/CSo29eeqGX

Nick Baumgardner @nickbaumgardner

Meantime, absolutely love the Matt Ryan-Indy fit. Almost as much as I loved the Matthew Stafford-Indy fit. But I digress. That feels like a great add for Indy.

The danger for Chris is that Ryan's QBR has declined each year since he won the Most Valuable Player award. If Ryan's skills continue to diminish, this trade could backfire.

The Colts quarterback turnover in recent years isn't sustainable.

Will Brinson @WillBrinson

Colts Week 1 starting QB the last six seasons<br><br>2017: Scott Tolzien<br>2018: Andrew Luck<br>2019: Jacoby Brissett<br>2020: Philip Rivers<br>2021: Carson Wentz<br>2022: Matt Ryan

Sometime in the future, Ballard will have to find a more permanent solution. Indianapolis sacrificed a lot of cap space and draft capital to get Ryan.

If the franchise doesn't win a Super Bowl in the next few years, it won't have much to show for it.