Matt Ryan Sets Market Signing Record Breaking Contract
By Kit Anderson
Matt Ryan has signed a five-year $150-million dollar extension. The Falcons have spent the better part of the off-season trying to get a deal done. And Matt Ryan has to be more than happy with the outcome.
Matt Ryan will be averaging a salary of $30-million dollars a season over the next 5 years. A possible bad note, the deal will handcuff the Falcons from making any future splashy moves. It will require the Falcons to rely on drafting and maintaining an explosive offense while shopping in the discount aisles.
Ryan will be a member of the Falcons until he is 38-years old. It is a perfect length considering that is the age the Falcons will begin to plan for the future.
In a League all about protecting quarterbacks, keeping Ryan healthy for the majority of another five years shouldn’t be hard. Ryan isn’t injury prone and keeps himself in excellent game-ready shape.
Age isn’t a concern in this contract, it is only the amount of money it locks up. A record-setting deal with over $100-million dollars in guarantees. It is a deal setting the bar for quarterbacks to come.
Aaron Rodgers will be the next big name to be due to a contract extension. Ryan’s deal has set a benchmark for Rodgers, one he and the Green Bay Packers will likely demolish with an even bigger paycheck.
Ryan is the perfect franchise quarterback, capable of making big plays but while also taking care of the football. His ability to speak while maintaining political correctness is admirable, and giving reporters and fans the information they want to hear shouldn’t be underestimated either.
The Falcons offense was just given another big boost with the addition of Calvin Ridley. Ridley will give the Falcons another deep threat and improve a great receiver unit, letting Ryan pick and choose his throws with more confidence.
Matt Ryan is likely an Atlanta Falcon for life, just as it should be, and this deal was the right move for both sides. A deal setting the market not only for Ryan but for future quarterbacks in a League ruled by the signal caller.