The Atlanta Falcons are doing everything they can to try and get quarterback Matt Ryan signed to a contract extension before the team reports to training camp at the end of July. The two sides are working through negotiations but nothing long-term has been agreed upon. The Falcons know that getting an extension done will free up more cap space, but so far talks have been painfully slow.
Matt Ryan is expected to hold out for big money from Atlanta. He is likely to command a contract that falls somewhere between Tony Romo's $16 million deal and Joe Flacco's $20 million deal. While he will not get a deal as high as Flacco's, he will get more than Romo. Ryan and the Falcons just cannot seem to figure out what the number is.
Thomas Dimitroff is very confident that Ryan gets signed to a deal prior to training camp and is expected to ramp up discussions after July 4. The front office is looking to avoid a scenario like the one created in Baltimore when the team was getting Flacco's deal done. They failed to get the quarterback signed to an extension prior to the 2012 season and ultimately cost themselves more money when his deal was finalized in 2013.
Ryan's contract could have serious implications to the Atlanta roster. He currently has a $12 million cap hit for 2013. If he can sign a long-term deal, his cap hit will decrease and the Falcons can sign one more free agent to complete their roster. They have $4 million to work with as two rookies still remain unsigned and the team is hoping to get defensive end Richard Seymour to a deal before camp as well. Everything rides on the pending contract.
If the worst were to happen and Atlanta cannot get Ryan under a new contract, the team can opt to use the franchise tag in 2014. An exclusive tag would cost $20 million which would be a headache for the team. A non-exclusive tag means Ryan can go to another team for two first-round draft picks. Atlanta does not want that to happen.
The Falcons are willing to pay Ryan a large raise, but the most decide how much a good quarterback means to the team. Atlanta intends for Ryan to be the face of the franchise for years to come, but the price tag is becoming a messy situation.