The Falcons have agreed to trade quarterback Matt Ryan to the Colts, according to multiple reports.
Here is a sampling of the reaction Monday on social media:
— Russell Gage Jr. (@GageRussell) March 21, 2022
Matt Ryan is the greatest #Falcons player ever and there's no debate
— WelpDW (@PlainDw) March 21, 2022
Two Atlanta Legends.
— Georgia Sports Now (@GASportsNow) March 21, 2022
Thank you for everything, @FreddieFreeman5 and @M_Ryan02 pic.twitter.com/TOeTUTS2qO
By any statistical measure, Matt Ryan was the greatest Falcon of all time. This is truly the end of an era in Atlanta sports.
— Mike Conti (@MikeConti929) March 21, 2022
Colts know the 36-year-old Matt Ryan is yet another bridge, and that they won't get off the hamster wheel until they find a young QB in the draft. But the team's thinking: the roster's good and ready to compete. Ryan gives them a chance in AFC South. Team still wants to add more.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) March 21, 2022
I'm still pondering this, but:
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 21, 2022
Colts Matt Ryan > Colts Philip Rivers.... I think.
Good save by the Colts, who come away from the QB shuffle with Matt Ryan, a guy they can definitely go to the playoffs with. he is the perfect bridge for a few years. pic.twitter.com/Lz93ri8k3t
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) March 21, 2022
Matt Ryan's OROY campaign in 2008. @M_Ryan02 pic.twitter.com/VUInPz05xd
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) March 21, 2022
Matt Ryan will always be an @AtlantaFalcons legend.
— NFL (@NFL) March 21, 2022
2016 MVP
2016 OPOY
2008 OROY
4x Pro Bowler pic.twitter.com/zFB8XILg25
Happy for Matt Ryan. He gets to leave the trainwreck that is the 2022 #Falcons to go to a terrific win-now situation with the #Colts. Smart to capitalize and get another chance at a Super Bowl elsewhere.
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) March 21, 2022
Terrific player and person, and I'll miss him dearly.
wow, so the Colts...
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 21, 2022
• added Matt Ryan
• lost Carson Wentz
• weren't forced to extend Ryan's deal
• gained a 3rd that may be a 2nd
• made ATL eat $40,525,000 dead cap*
• lowered Ryan's 2022 cap hit to $28M, less than Carson Wentz's
*largest in NFL history
Realizing Matt Ryan’s last game as a Falcon was a loss to the Saints. Fitting.
— Gabriel (@GabeWhoDat) March 21, 2022
The #Falcons will carry a $40.525 million dead cap hit in 2022 for Matt Ryan. That's actually a savings of $9,093,382 ... which they now will need to add a new starting QB.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 21, 2022
The Falcons are trading former MVP Matt Ryan to the Colts. Since his debut in 2008, no other QB has played in more games than Ryan (222)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 21, 2022
Ryan is the Falcons' all-time leader in:
Wins (120)
Pass yds (59,735)
Pass TD (367)
Interceptions (170)
Completions (5,242)
Attempts (8,003) pic.twitter.com/hGDVQ8R1TM
There is so much to say about how the Falcons have completely botched their rebuild so far. That can be talked about in the next few days. Today is a celebration of Matt Ryan. He is finally going to play for a well-run, talented organization. It’s been a long time coming.
— Allen Strk (@allenstrk) March 21, 2022
Trade!! The #Falcons are in agreement on a trade of QB Matt Ryan to the #Colts, per @MikeGarafolo, @TomPelissero and me. ATL gets a 3rd back.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2022
Fallout from the Deshaun Watson situation, with Ryan starting over in Indy. Ryan gets a contract adjustment with more guaranteed money.
Matt Ryan deserved better from the Falcons. Guy never complained and represented the organization with class despite them throwing him to the wolves and never giving him a defense.
— SportsTalkATL.com (@SportsTalkATL) March 21, 2022
To the best QB in franchise history, Thank you pic.twitter.com/CBkk4gmN3V
For the third straight offseason, the Colts have acquired a NEW veteran starting QB:
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) March 21, 2022
2020: Signed Philip Rivers
2021: Traded for Carson Wentz
2022: Traded for Matt Ryan pic.twitter.com/VpXpMAvyoB
Matt Ryan's 2016 MVP season was something special.
— NFL (@NFL) March 21, 2022
Now time to bring those talents to Indy.@M_Ryan02 | @Colts pic.twitter.com/YwyZ5zI2zu
It’s official: Matt Ryan is the next quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts.
— Alexa Ross (@AlexaRossTV) March 21, 2022
The Falcons will receive third rounder in exchange for the 36-year-old stepping under center. Prepare to hear a lot of Vanilla Ice in Lucas Oil Stadium @ColtsBluezone pic.twitter.com/RCXJv9AuYl
Will the #Colts now pursue Julio Jones and reunite him with Matt Ryan...? pic.twitter.com/zAuqa7bBkZ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 21, 2022
@juliojones_11 aye man hear me out! Matt have already thrown you a lot of touchdowns in the dome in Atlanta, y’all could finish what y’all started in Atlanta in the dome here in Indy! 👀
— Darius Leonard (@dsleon45) March 21, 2022
Time to start warming up! pic.twitter.com/yg8pLTWFHO
— cordarrelle patterson (@ceeflashpee84) March 21, 2022
Do we play the colts?!? What’s the @Saints schedule 😒👀🥺 pic.twitter.com/7HF27sza7k
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) March 21, 2022
Let’s Go! 🔥 https://t.co/lOVOFMjwkg
— Parris Campbell (@PCampbell21) March 21, 2022
That is a great pick up for colts. Chris Ballard is such a great dude & I have a bunch of respect for him and org. 🤝 easy to root for good genuine ppl!
— Tony Jefferson II (@_tonyjefferson) March 21, 2022
this season is going to be so heartbreaking not seeing either Matt Ryan or Julio Jones in Atlanta anymore 🥺😭 thats like 90% of my whole ATL NFL fandom upbringing gone
— not Hawks szn (@TooTurntDevin) March 21, 2022
Matt Ryan to the Colts is my favorite QB move this off-season #ForTheShoe #colts https://t.co/SmmOLsgM3P
— Bryant McFadden (@BMac_SportsTalk) March 21, 2022
Since the start of the 2016 season, Matt Ryan leads the NFL in passing yards (26,978) and he’s 5th in touchdown passes (165), per @EpKap.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2022
I really hope the Colts win a Super Bowl with Matt Ryan. They are a damn good team.
— Steven Hester (@SteHes3) March 21, 2022
I know Matt Ryan is on the back end of his career but I absolutely love this trade! #Colts
— Jamie Garza (@GarzaJ420) March 21, 2022
Falcons went from trading Matt Ryan for nothing in return but a 3rd round pick to losing out on getting Deshaun Watson to Marcus Mariota being their starting QB💀💀💀
— RipMOM 💔🕊😔🎀 (@davajeionh96) March 21, 2022
Trading Matt Ryan was a good thing. It's just that it should've happened last yr. Now the Falcons just got fraction of what they could've received for Matt last year. And the rebuild is now a year behind & we're let holding only a 3rd round pick. It's about to be real rough guys.
— John C. Varner III (@LilHulkQ) March 21, 2022
Matt Ryan threw for 20 touchdowns last year. I’m almost certain Marcus Mariota can run pass and run for just as many if not more with the same weapons
— mannydev. (@emmaaanuuuel) March 21, 2022
Matt Ryan can still push the ball down the field (also Kyle Pitts is very fun) pic.twitter.com/oGZjLj9mF3
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) March 21, 2022
Now y'all bout to see what it's like to not have Matt Ryan at QB. It's not going to be the utopia y'all think it will be. Remember Joey Harrington? Yeah.
— PreacherMan 🏆🏆 (@preacherman_116) March 21, 2022
Matt Ryan for Marcus Mariota?
— nyles. (@nylesxnature) March 21, 2022
I guess, Atlanta. I guess.
If @bakermayfield feels disrespected, man look at Matt Ryan. Had to deal with the vick fallout took the team to the Superbowl, competitive for a long time. #NFL
— Nick Carcioppolo (@carci337) March 21, 2022
Matt ryan got traded. I am sick to my stomach. Go get that ring king
— Ric Flair 𖤐 (@Pougotti_mane) March 21, 2022
I really believe if Fouts is a HOFer, Matt Ryan should be one as well
— Zach R (@zackorizzi) March 21, 2022