Shortly after the Colts signed Nick Foles, Frank Reich said he wanted to bring in the former Super Bowl MVP in previous offseasons. The fit worked out best this year, after the Bears released him following the draft.
Foles has worked as Matt Ryan‘s backup thus far this season, but that will change in Week 6. Indianapolis plans to bump Sam Ehlinger into that role, Fox 59’s Mike Chappell reports. Ehlinger will dress, while Foles will be a gameday inactive.
Suiting up for a game is not new to Ehlinger, a sixth-round pick out of Texas last year. He stood as Carson Wentz‘s backup last season. Wentz made 17 starts during his one-and-done Indianapolis season, but the Colts have consistently praised Ehlinger. His stock continues to rise within the organization, Zak Keefer of The Athletic notes (on Twitter).
While Chappell adds Ehlinger is not viewed as a threat to Ryan, the promotion is certainly interesting given how the 15th-year veteran has fared as a Colt. Ryan’s 11 fumbles are the most through five games since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, and his 10 turnovers (seven interceptions, three lost fumbles) lead the league. The Colts have also seen teams submerge their immobile starter; Ryan has taken 21 sacks this season. The Colts are averaging a league-low 13.8 points per game.
A consistent presence for Big 12 buffs throughout his college career, Ehlinger worked as the Longhorns’ starter from his 2017 freshman season through 2020. He posted two seasons with at least 25 touchdown passes compared to five INTs and offers far superior mobility compared to Ryan or Foles. Ehlinger totaled 16 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore and amassed 663 rushing yards as a junior. He still lasted until the No. 218 pick last year, carrying a project label upon joining the Colts.
The Colts, who traded a third-round pick for Ryan this year and want him to start for at least two seasons, have run into persistent issues along their offensive line. The once-elite unit has seen uneven play affect Ryan. Indy has already relocated Matt Pryor from left tackle to right tackle and benched Week 1 right guard Danny Pinter. Pryor, who has allowed five sacks this season, did not play well at right tackle last week in Denver. It is possible the Colts make another move at that spot in Week 6.
Ehlinger may be positioned as the backup due to his mobility behind this unusually shaky front, though it would be interesting to see if the Colts would turn to he or Foles if Ryan suffered an injury that required a multigame absence. Ryan has only missed three starts due to injury in his career. Foles is signed through 2023 on a $6.2MM deal.
It sounds like an excuse given the Colts’ results, but watching Ryan in game makes it hard for me to blame him for all of his errors (or even most of them). Anthony Castonzo’s retirement has really affected Indianapolis’ pass protection. The line can still run block, but Ryan is getting pressured wayyy too much for a near 40 year old QB. This would be one thing if it were just Ryan, but the Colts had this same issue last year with an already duct taped together Carson Wentz.
It’s strange to see their unit fall so far. Matt Pryor has always been below average as a player, but he can play right tackle much better than left. Their new left tackle is definitely going to need time to acclimate, and certainly has not looked ready yet, but the Colts have needed an at least average left tackle for two years and haven’t had it. I understand the strategy of using older, smarter QBs to run the offense, but those guys need more protection. Otherwise, you’re going to get this.
All that said, Ehlinger seems like he’s earned a shot. He’d certainly be more mobile than Ryan, which should help him in the pocket. No matter who starts, though, the Colts need to integrate Alec Pierce more into the offense. A major problem for them is the lack of consistency at wideout. There a few receivers that could end up being go-to guys (Dulin, Campbell, Pittman, and of course Pierce), but none have been consistently reliable every game. They’re young, but whomever Indy starts at QB will need a few of them to be reliable every game to excel, especially with suspect protection.
I worry your comments will get deleted if you keep proving you’re a more talented writer than most on the PFR staff.
You’re right, and it speaks to both the importance of tackles and the importance of not having weak links on the line. I could see Raimann getting there—he may be old for a rookie, but he’s young in football experience and has the physical traits—but right now it’s hard to watch.
If Matt Ryan now owns the fumble record has anyone congratulated Dave Craig for losing that honor?
Not all fumbles are created equal. Ryan and Craig may eventually land in a FHOF but Mark Sanchez (butt fumble) and Joe Pisarcik (miracle in the Meadowlands) will always be considered the QBs that made fumbling an art form.
Yeah, poor Pisarcik. He hated that call before it happened and hates it now after it happened.
Although my favorite Sanchez moment has to be his “block” on Drayton Florence in 2011. The flinch, the false start, the hold…all in the same play.