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NFL Rumors: Falcons could make Matt Ryan highest-paid QB

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) reacts after a touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) reacts after a touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank may be willing to make Matt Ryan the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.

Matt Ryan has emerged as one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks over the past few years. He has thrown for 4,000 yards or more in each of the past six seasons, including a career-high 4,944 in 2016. This led to him winning NFL MVP honors as the Atlanta Falcons advanced to Super Bowl LI, which will see them face the New England Patriots.

Prior to this game, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Falcons owner Arthur Blank may be willing to make Ryan the highest-paid quarterback in the league. This is partly due to Blank being aware of the quarterback market, which often sees some of the NFL’s largest contracts handed out.

Win or lose, it seems like Ryan is in for a big payday. The top 10 quarterback salaries make $20 million or more, with the highest being Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts at $24.6 million per year. It’s not crazy to consider Ryan getting over $25 million per year and to receive a significant amount of guaranteed money. This will only soar with a victory at Super Bowl LI.

We’ve seen this situation happen before, except with somewhat different circumstances. Joe Flacco had eyed a new contract after the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl 47, one that would make him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. This would happen, but he ended up getting usurped by Luck and Drew Brees. Now it looks like Ryan may top them all sooner than later.

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Sunday night could be the biggest night of Matt Ryan’s nine-year career. He already added the 2016 NFL MVP to his resume, but there’s an opportunity to be Super Bowl winner and Super Bowl MVP as well. Then the money will arrive, which would cap off an incredible first few months of 2017 for him.

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