The Colts have started 0-1-1 without wins in favorable road games against the Texans and Jaguars. That should raise major questions about the job securities of quarterback Matt Ryan and coach Frank Reich.
After salvaging a 20-20 overtime tie after a slow start in Houston in Week 1, Indianapolis never got started in Jacksonville in a 34-0 blowout shutout in Week 2.
Ryan (16-of-30, 195 yards, 3 INTs, 5 sacks, 73.6 passer rating) turned in another shaky outing in his second Colts start, only with lesser volume. Reich saw his team lose in Jacksonville for an eighth consecutive time. it was a cruel reminder of the Colts failing to beat the Jaguars to make the playoffs in Week 18 last season.
Going back to another key defeat vs. the Raiders in Week 17, the Colts are 0-3-1 in their past four games under Reich. Now they’re losing more with Ryan, Reich’s hand-picked QB replacement after the disappointing lone-season reunion with Carson Wentz.
With confidence wavering in Ryan and Reich, would the Colts make some big changes at the two most important positions? Here’s exploring the potential of Reich benching Ryan and the Colts firing Reich in the near future:
Should the Colts bench Matt Ryan?
Ryan was signed to be an “upgrade” over Wentz because he was a pocket passer who could in theory play better in the structure of the offense. Unfortunately, at 37, the one-time Falcons league MVP showed signs of declining arm strength last season and he’s become a highly dependent quarterback this season.
The Colts’ offensive line hasn’t played at the level it should. Top wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (quad) and promising rookie Alec Pierce (concussion) didn’t play on Sunday. But Ryan was brought in to play well off the dangerous threat of Jonathan Taylor in an often-dominant rushing attack. Taylor ran them back into the game in Houston, but didn’t get enough help in Jacksonville.
Ryan’s early decision-making in Indianapolis doesn’t align with his experience, leading to key takeaways and a lack of execution and explosiveness. The Jaguars contained Taylor well, built a big lead with their offense and that was that for the Colts with Ryan struggling all afternoon against a mostly bad pass defense.
This should make the Colts at least considering a switch. Unlike other teams, they have a viable Plan B with backup Nick Foles. Foles, reunited with Reich from Philadelphia’s offense, is known for providing long-term sparks coming off the bench — see his run as Super Bowl 51 MVP. Although also volatile in his own right, Foles also has a bigger arm than Ryan and can provide better downfield elements.
Ryan’s play gives the offense a hard ceiling. That’s a continued problem for next week, when the Colts will try to keep up with the 2-0 Chiefs in the home opener. Then Indianapolis faces reigning AFC South champion Tennessee in Week 4 before going on the road for a Thursday night game vs. Russell Wilson and Denver.
Riding Taylor alone won’t get the job done. The Colts need much improved QB play. If there’s waning belief that Ryan can provide that, Reich might need to bench him for Foles, for the sake of saving his own job.
Should the Colts fire Frank Reich?
Reich overall has a strong record in four-plus seasons as the Colts’ head coach at 37-29-1. But they have gone only two-for-four in playoff appearances with him and the team has yet to win the division on his watch.
Coming out the gate slowly against the Texans was already unacceptable. Not being competitive at all against the Jaguars is borderline unforgivable, Consider the Colts were trying to alter some dubious history in the series and erase an awful Week 1 performance. Instead, they went through the motions in more of the same in Jacksonville.
That lack of preparedness and motivation is on Reich. As he’s lost his two top coordinators Nick Sirianni (Eagles) and Matt Eberflus the past two offseasons, the team has had to make the right adjustments in offensive and defensive philosophies. The post-Andrew Luck retirement revolving door at QB also hasn’t helped.
From one perspective, Reich could get a pass for key injuries, including to irreplaceable defensive leader Shaquille Leonard, who has missed the first two games with a bad back. But then again, the Colts have a ton of talent across the board — especially defensively — for owner Jim Irsay and GM Chris Ballard and are heavy AFC South favorites this season. However you look at it, being winless after two games is underachieving.
Like Ryan, there are some interesting interim options behind Reich. Current offensive coordinator Marcus Brady is a rising star and a future head coach in the NFL. Current defensive coordinator Gus Bradley at one time was head coach of the Jaguars.
A lot is on the Colts to put together a big performance and shock the Chiefs and get their first win. That seems like an improbable result given how well Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City are playing.
Because the AFC South is so weak with Jaguars in first place at 1-1 and the Titans and Texans also bound to stay winless after Week 2, the Colts will show some patience with Reich. But they can run it out of it quickly with additional poor returns against the Chiefs, Titans and Broncos.
Keep in mind the Colts have a mini-bye after that trip to Denver in Week 5. That will be a time to watch a possible change from Reich, with Brady or Bradley needing to take over ahead of a Week 6 home rematch with the Jaguars.
Ryan and Reich have combined to contribute to a terrible Colts start. Should it feel more like a trend than a fluke, expect the major move or moves to come.
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