Looking At the Impact of Matt Ryan’s New Contract
The Atlanta Falcons announced they signed Matt Ryan to a huge contract extension. Is he worth the money and how will it affect the team moving forward?
Earlier today, the Atlanta Falcons announced quarterback Matt Ryan signed a new five-year contract.
The surprising part is that the deal is worth $150 million, and $100 million is guaranteed.
The guaranteed amount is $16 million more than Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins got in free agency.
Ryan will enter the upcoming season with the highest annual average salary…for now.
Although we saw Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Matt Stafford get huge deals, people are still waiting for Aaron Rodgers’ next contract.
Rodgers is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL, and his new extension will definitely exceed Ryan’s contract. The more important question is if Ryan is worth the money he received.
This is always a difficult question to answer, but Ryan is one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL.
As mentioned above, other quarterbacks recently got expensive extensions, and most cannot match Ryan’s accomplishments.
Cousins was easily the best option in free agency, but he still hasn’t won a playoff game during his career.
Jimmy G was a stud last season, but we haven’t seen how he performs during an entire 16-game season.
Stafford is arguably a top-ten or top-twelve quarterback, but he also hasn’t won a playoff game yet. Although Ryan has plenty of doubters, he has won an MVP award, led the Falcons to a Super Bowl, and is still in the prime of his career.
The team will feel comfortable knowing they have a franchise quarterback secured for the next six years.
We’ve seen the struggles teams such as the Browns and Jets have faced due to their inability finding a solid quarterback.
As long as Ryan doesn’t completely implode this season, the team will be thankful they got the contract done.
How will Ryan’s extension affect the Falcons and their other free agents moving forward?
Although $30 million is a hefty salary for next year, the Falcons will enter free agency in 2019 with approximately $33 million available.
The main priority is going to be resigning Jake Matthews, but his new deal likely won’t exceed $15 million per year.
Although the Falcons might lose Tevin Coleman, that was expected by many after Devonta Freeman’s extension.
People will worry that Ryan’s contract is too expensive in a few years, but we’ve seen numerous quarterbacks succeed in their late 30’s.
Tom Brady and Drew Brees are still two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and both are older than Ryan will be at the end of his new contract.
As long as the Falcons continue to draft well and make smart free agency decisions, the contract should be fine.
One aspect to watch is if the salary cap continues to increase or ends up flatling where it currently is.
If it continues to increase, more quarterbacks will get contracts averaging the same amount or more than Ryan. The Falcons can now enter the season without any distractions and focus on their goal of a Super Bowl.