The Atlanta Falcons are ready to give their quarterback a pay raise. Now that the team has wrapped up free agency and the NFL draft is officially behind them, Matt Ryan's contract extension becomes the new priority. The team first addressed the pending extension when the offseason began, but put things on the backburner until the distractions were over. Now, as the team begins to prepare for the 2013 season, talks have started up again with both parties looking to have something done son.
Owner Arthur Blank told NFL Network that he is aiming to have an extension done with Ryan before training camp. He wants things wrapped up "as soon as possible." Atlanta is hoping to eliminate the contract distraction during the season, but taking care of it before the team reports for mandatory training camp.
Ryan is currently reaching the last year of his six-year, $66 million deal he signed as a rookie in 2008 after being drafted. In 2013, his salary will be $10 million. Ryan is not concerned with the contract. He understands that these types of things take time and knows everything will work out in the end.
"I want to be here, I know that for sure. I think things will take care of themselves, and right now, it's not something I'm too worried about," Ryan said.
General manager Thomas Dimitroff echoes the feelings of Blank. He is ready to have the contract extension over and done with. The team wants to have Ryan as the franchise quarterback and intends on paying him as such.
Ryan will be just another quarterback to receiver a hefty extension this offseason. The mega-deal is the trend in the offseason. Joe Flacco signed a six-year deal worth $120.6 million while Aaron Rodgers signed a seven-year deal worth $130.75. Every team is looking to make their quarterback the next $100 million guy, as long as he deserves it. Ryan's new deal is expected to be somewhere in the same ballpark.
The Falcons quarterback certainly is proving he is worthy of a larger deal. He led to the team to the NFC Championship game before eventually losing to the San Francisco 49ers. In 2012 overall, Ryan threw for 4,719 yards and 32 touchdowns.