Colts bench Ryan for 2nd time, Foles named starter

The Indianapolis Colts are replacing Matt Ryan with Nick Foles for Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Jeff Saturday announced Wednesday.

It's the second time this season the Colts have demoted Ryan. The plan is for Foles to finish out the season under center.

"Ultimately, I feel like Nick will give us a better chance to go win these last three games," Saturday said, according to The Athletic's Zak Keefer.

The Colts benched Ryan for Sam Ehlinger earlier this season when Frank Reich was Indy's coach. The veteran regained the starting role once Saturday was hired following Reich's dismissal.

Ryan posted a 1-4 record after returning to the starting lineup in Week 10. His move to the bench comes after the Colts allowed the Minnesota Vikings to mount an NFL-record 33-point comeback in a Week 15 loss.

The 37-year-old has posted a 4-7-1 record during the 2022 season with 14 touchdowns to 13 interceptions.

Monday's contest will mark Foles' first start since Week 16 of the 2021 season. The then-Chicago Bear threw for 250 yards with one touchdown to no interceptions in a victory over the Seattle Seahawks.