Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, 35, who’s under contract through 2023, has said he wants to play into 40s.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank was non-committal when asked about Ryan’s future with the team on Monday.
“I love Matt, much like I love Dan and I love Thomas,” Blank said. "Matt has been a franchise leader for us. A great quarterback. One of the leading quarterbacks in the last 13 years in the NFL.
“So, I hope he’s going to be a part of our plans going forward, but that will be a decision that I won’t make.”
The Falcons will let the new general manager and head coach decide if they want to move forward with Ryan, the only player in franchise history to win the league’s MVP award.
“Matt has the ability to play at a high level even at this age, whether if that is going to continue or not, I’m not sure,” Blank said. “I appreciate his willingness to consider doing that and the level that he’s played for us, for 13 years, which has been incredible. So, I will….we’ll have to see.”
Ryan, who signed a five-year, $150 million extension in May of 2018, has salary cap numbers of $40.9 million in 2021, $41.6 million in 2022 and $36.6 in 2023.
Currently, the Falcons would hold the second pick in the draft and could be in the running for Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence or Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
“That’s going to have be a decision, at the end of the day, part of it will be up to player and part of it will be up to the (new) coaching staff,” Blank said. “Whether or not Matt can keep himself together and God willing, he’ll be able to do that and play at the level he’s capable of playing at.”
Falcons' next four games
Falcons at Vikings at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18
Lions at Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday Oct. 25
Falcons at Panthers at 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29
Broncos at Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
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