It is no secret that Matt Ryan did not have the most ideal 2015 season. In terms of weakest leaks, he certainly ranked near the bottom for the Atlanta Falcons this season as turnovers and inconsistency became the new norm for the quarterback. Under new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Ryan struggled heavily in the change in scheme and it reflected in the six-game losing streak Atlanta suffered. After denying a riff between him and his coordinator, Ryan admits he was overwhelmed all year.
Ryan and Shanahan never truly appeared on the same page this season. The quarterback struggled causing Shanahan to scale things back midway through the season. Interceptions plagued the quarterback as they got away from the balanced run-pass attack that was on full display when the team started 5-0. It is unclear exactly what caused the six-game losing streak, but Ryan admits that he struggled in the new offense and is hoping to put this year behind him and move forward.
"I think that's for everyone, when you're learning something new and it's different, at times there's is too much, right?" Ryan said, via ESPN.com. "I think Kyle did a great job as we went through the year of listening to guys, of responding to feedback, and then also having a better feel for what we were as an offense, too, of what our guys could do, and making a plan to fit that. And I thought the last four, five, or six weeks, we had good plans."
Shanahan is not going anywhere. After reports that the coordinator could be one-and-done with the Falcons this year, head coach Dan Quinn denied the idea. That means Ryan will spend the offseason trying to get more comfortable in his offense in order to improve next year. Now the question is who will be joining him. Roddy White has made it clear that he fully intends to be back in 2016, but do not expect him to take a pay cut as a result. The veteran receiver has a manageable salary and cap hit to his name which should secure his spot in the upcoming year, but he knows it is a business and nothing is guaranteed.
"I have no idea how next year's going to be," White said, via ESPN.com. "I have no idea. I'm just going to take it in and try to finish as strong as possible, get myself ready to go for next year. Whatever happens after that, happens. I plan on being a Falcon forever. That's what they told me. That's where my heart is. That's where my mind's at."
Both Julio Jones and Ryan have made it clear they expect White to be back next season while Quinn stressed how important the veteran is to the team. In need of receiver help, the Falcons will look to add youth to the rotation while also hoping that Nick Williams and Justin Hardy develop into better talent this offseason.
