Falcons’ Ryan agrees to 5-year, $150M extension

ATLANTA » Matt Ryan is the NFL’s first $100 million man.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback became the league’s highest-paid player Thursday by agreeing to a five-year contract extension that could be worth as much as $150 million.

A person familiar with the deal, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms were not released, confirmed that Ryan is assured of receiving at least $100 million. That surpasses the total compensation of the $84 million, threeyear guaranteed deal that QB Kirk Cousins received from the Vikings.

If Ryan receives the full terms of the contract, he would receive an average of $30 million a year, also more than Cousin’s $28 million yearly payout.

Cousins’ stunning deal set the target for Ryan’s negotiations with the Falcons, though it might be a short stay at No. 1.

The Green Bay Packers are trying to complete a new deal with their franchise quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, who will likely be looking to surpass Ryan’s figure.

“This extension was our primary focus this offseason,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a statement.

Arians joins CBS

NEW YORK » Bruce Arians an NFL game analyst.

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Arians, a two-time winner of the AP’s Coach of the Year award, retired as coach of the Cardinals in January. He will work with play-by-play announcer Greg Gumbel and analyst Trent Green in a three-man booth.

“I always hoped that broadcasting would be an option after I retired from coaching as a way to stay involved with this great game,” Arians said.

Arians won two Super Bowls as offensive coordinator with the Steelers. He first worked in the NFL in 1989 and also was a head coach at age 30 at Temple, working there from 1983-88.

Redskins: Concerned about cheerleader allegations

ASHBURN, VA. » The Washington Redskins say they’re concerned by allegations made by cheerleaders in a New York Times article about a trip to Costa Rica for a photo shoot in 2013.

Team president Bruce Allen said in a statement Thursday the organization is immediately looking into the situation. Allen says if the investigation shows any employees acted inappropriately, “those employees will face significant repercussions.”

The New York Times reported the cheerleaders had their passports collected, were forced to be topless for a calendar photo shoot that included male spectators and were asked to be escorts for sponsors at a nightclub.