Matt Ryan trade rumors: Falcons faced with tough decision

Matt Ryan’s time with the Atlanta Falcons will be decided by 4:00 p.m. ET on Monday afternoon.

Monday could be the last day Matt Ryan is a member of the Atlanta Falcons organization.

Ryan has been with the Atlanta franchise since being drafted No. 3 overall way back in 2008 out of Boston College. In his decade-plus run in Atlanta, Ryan has made several Pro Bowls, won NFL MVP and led the Dirty Birds to their most recent Super Bowl appearance. Of course, he is clearly on the back nine of his illustrious career. He was also dragged through the mud for all of last week.

Since the Falcons dipped their toes into the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes and got bit, they could look to trade the greatest player in franchise history on Monday. However, it would have to be before 4:00 p.m. ET because he is due a $7.5 million roster bonus. This payment was delayed a few days to help in Atlanta’s failed attempt to bring Deshaun Watson home to Flowery Branch.

Ryan is under contract for the next two seasons with roughly $54 million left on the deal. From the looks of it, he will either be getting a contract extension by the Atlanta brass to retire a career Falcon or orchestrate a trade out of town to another NFL franchise. Those teams include the likes of the Indianapolis Colts, the Seattle Seahawks or potentially his hometown Philadelphia Eagles.

Did Matt Ryan get traded?

While Ryan has conducted himself as a professional throughout the Watson trade debacle, it would be understandable if he wants out of town after this. Though fences can be mended, keep in mind that this Falcons regime is not the one who drafted him. Yes, Arthur Blank and Rich McKay were in the building in 2008, but the same cannot be said for Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith.

Even if the Watson trade debacle has left a black mark on the organization, Atlanta has made other savvy, under-the-radar moves to improve as a football team. The players they have added in free agency, sans extending kicker Younghoe Koo, have been on team-friendly, prove-it deals. Even the Cordarrelle Patterson second contract was not a doozy. Fontenot is reshaping the roster.

Ultimately, Atlanta is not going to trade Ryan unless the Falcons get great compensation for him and he wants to go to that destination. One would think the Colts would be the preferred destination, as he would be the best quarterback in the division and could contend for championships right away. Of course, Atlanta would have to find another starting quarterback.

Come 4:00 p.m. ET Monday, the NFL world will see how the next quarterbacking domino falls.