Peyton: Ryan, Wilson 'will handle' high expectations with new teams
The Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos enter the 2022 season with high expectations after bringing in new starting quarterbacks this offseason. Denver acquired Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in a blockbuster move, while Indy added Matt Ryan in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.
Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, who made history with both the Colts and Broncos, thinks his former teams landed the right quarterbacks.
"Russell and Matt, they have high expectations for themselves," Manning said at the "Manning Passing Academy" on Friday, according to NFL.com's Michael Baca. "They want to work together with the team, get on the same page, and want to help the team win and do their part. So I think both of them will handle that well."
Manning talked to both quarterbacks before the trades were completed.
"For Matt, in particular, he kind of mentioned that Atlanta was looking for possibly a trade, and he was asking about Indy," Manning said. "I just kind of really liked that match. I thought it would be great for Matt in this second chapter for him, and I thought it would be really good for the Colts, who I think are really close and have a lot of pieces and just could really use a veteran leader. He and (Colts head coach) Frank Reich have really hit it off."
Ryan played 14 seasons in Atlanta. The 2016 NFL MVP became the franchise's all-time passing leader with 59,735 yards and 367 touchdowns, though he was limited to 3,968 yards and 20 TD passes last season. The 37-year-old will now replace Carson Wentz, whom the Colts traded to the Washington Commanders after missing the playoffs in 2021.
Meanwhile, Wilson joins a Broncos team that hasn't reached the postseason since 2015 - Manning's last year in Denver. The 33-year-old Wilson earned nine Pro Bowl berths and helped the Seahawks win one Super Bowl title across 10 seasons in Seattle.
"It's a new chapter for him," Manning said of Wilson. "Broncos fans and players are hungry. We've been in a little bit of a drought the past few years, and it's time to get the Broncos back to where they're supposed to be."
Manning spent his first 14 NFL seasons with the Colts, winning four MVP awards and lifting the Lombardi Trophy once. He then signed with the Broncos, with whom he earned another MVP honor and won a Super Bowl title.