Matt Ryan trade details: Falcons deal face of franchise to the Colts

When the Atlanta Falcons chased Deshaun Watson, there was no going back. Because of this, Matt Ryan is now on the move to the AFC and the Indianapolis Colts.

Ryan makes a lot of sense for the Colts, as they’ve brought in veteran quarterbacks in the past in hopes of replicating the success Andrew Luck had in Indy oh so long ago. So far, it hasn’t worked out as planned, but they hope Ryan can change that.

From Philip Rivers to Carson Wentz to now the former Falcon, Indianapolis has always seemingly been a quarterback away from competing for a Super Bowl.

The Colts don’t need Ryan to be Aaron Rodgers — a reliable signal-caller under center who can take advantage of a backfield featuring Jonathan Taylor will do. And please, for the love of God, don’t play with fire like Wentz did just last season.

Matt Ryan trade details: What did Colts give up to Falcons?

Here’s what the Falcons got back in return for Matt Ryan.

A third-round pick? Ouch.

Matt Ryan contract

Ryan’s contract, perhaps renegotiated at this point, was scheduled to pay him over $16 million next season and just over $20 million in 2023. Considering the deals given out recently to franchise-caliber quarterbacks, Ryan’s doesn’t look half bad.

For the Falcons, though, this is horrible. They get a third-round pick back in return and take on a $40 million dead cap hit.

Yikes.