If you’re wondering why the Indianapolis Colts only had to pay a third-round pick to trade with the Atlanta Falcons for quarterback Matt Ryan, it seems we may have an answer.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network that the team wasn’t looking to simply get the best offer available. They also wanted to do right by the face of their franchise since 2008.
#Falcons GM Terry Fontenot on getting a third-round pick for Matt Ryan: "It was more important for us to do right by Matt than to try to maximize compensation. Yes, we probably could have opened it up and talked to every team and … gotten more compensation."
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 23, 2022
Many were shocked when the details of the trade were reported and that it was a simple swap of Ryan for a third-round pick. This was especially true considering the package the Colts got in return for Carson Wentz.
But after 14 seasons of leading the Falcons, it’s clear the organization didn’t want to smudge his departure from the only team he’d ever played for. And after the way the Falcons were all in on Deshaun Watson, it appeared Ryan’s time with Atlanta was coming to an end regardless.
The Colts were able to upgrade their quarterback position, move up five spots in the second round, add an extra third-round pick in 2022 and a potential second-round pick in 2023—all while saving some money against the cap.
Adding weapons will be the focus for the Colts’ front office and they have more room to do so because the Falcons didn’t maximize the compensation for Ryan.
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