Atlanta Falcons Could Have Trouble Resigning Matt Ryan
By Kit Anderson
The off-season is barely underway for the Atlanta Falcons and there is already reason for concern as to how much it will cost to extend quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan has one year left on his deal and will compare the recent cap breaking salaries being handed out to quarterbacks.
If you watched the Atlanta Falcons this season you know how maddening it was to watch the offense and Matt Ryan. A year after being the best offense in the League they looked lethargic and struggled to score to support a solid defense.
Ryan coming off of an MVP season took a huge step back failing to play to his potential missing key throws and struggling to maintain drives. While his interception total took a leap as well it is hard to blame him considering how many freak interceptions bounced off of his own players.
Now headed into the 2018 season the Falcons will be focused on extending their franchise quarterback. Extending Matt Ryan was a no-brain decision until the Super Bowl that may have destroyed the notion that the best quarterback is what is most important on the field.
Nick Foles led the Eagles over the Patriots and Tom Brady in the Super Bowl playing well while the Eagles proved they clearly had the better roster. Proving the best roster can win not the best quarterback. What does this have to do with Matt Ryan?
After seeing Nick Foles lead the best roster with a lesser quarterback to a Super Bowl and the 49er’s extend Jimmy Garoppolo for $137.5-million dollars the Falcons have to be concerned how much it could cost to extend Ryan.
If Matt Ryan decides to demand market value the Falcons could be in trouble. With plenty of money owed to Julio Jones and the rest of a talented offense it is hard to see paying Matt Ryan what he could demand.
The problem for the Falcons is that they have no other choice since they have failed to put a succession plan in place. Signing Ryan to a deal that doesn’t cripple the Falcons to keep their young defensive core together is huge!
Signing Ryan is a must for the Falcons unless they are willing to draft a quarterback in the first round. Matt Ryan has made it known he wants to stay in Atlanta but the Falcons may have to bend Ryan’s contract demands a bit to allow his team to stay in the hunt in the coming seasons.
If Ryan demands to be paid what he is worth the Falcons have a problem on their hands. One that could perfectly illustrate why it is so important to always have a back-up plan.