The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ryan on trade talk: ‘ I love Atlanta. Iwant tobehere.’
Matt Ryan has no desire to leave.
Since 2008, when he was selected third overall in the NFL draft, Ryan has been the face of the Falcons’ franchise. But with a newcoach and general manager arriving this offseason, the organization could be in a situationwhere itmoves on from Ryan. In a virtual news conference after former coach Dan Quinn was fired, Falcons owner Arthur Blank wouldn’t commit to Ryan’s future, putting that decision on theworking pairwho will arrive this offseason.
Withthatinmind, Ryanhas recently been the subject of trade speculation. Of course, if the Falcons did that during the season theywould incur a monstrous dead- cap penalty. A trade before June 1, 2021would result in a $ 44.4 million dead- cap figure next season. However, iftheytrade Ryan after June 1, 2021, the dead- capnumberwoulddrop to $ 17.9 million.
Regardless, Ryan doesn’t want to be traded at any point. His preference is to finish his career where it started.
“Nah, I don’tworry about that stuff,” Ryan said when asked if he wanted to be traded. “I don’t think about it. My job is to get dialed in for Thursday night ( against the Panthers).”
Through seven games, Ryan has completed 66.4% of his throws for 2,181 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. In Sunday’s 23- 22 loss to the Lions, Ryan engineeredwhat lookedtobe his 39th game- winning drive and31stfourth- quartercomeback. However, running back Todd Gurley stumbled and accidentally scored a touchdownwith 1: 04 remaining in the game instead of falling before the end zone.
That gave the Lions the ball back, with quarterback Matthew Stafford, Ryan’s close friend, driving down the field for the game- winning touchdown.
OnMonday, Ryansaid that in hindsight he would have liked for the team to take a knee instead of to give the ball toGurley, especially considering the Lions were out of timeouts. Ryan was also asked if he had the opportunity to overturn the play call and kneel.
“That’s not howitworks,” Ryan said. “When you’re out on the field you’re operating what comes in. That’s kind of our role. I think ( interim coach) Raheem ( Morris) hit on it. Of course we would do it differently had we had the chance to do it over again. That’s not really how it works.”
Morris said taking the ball out of Ryan’s hand was
his “biggest regret” of the game. In the moment, Morris wanted to get as close to the end zone as possible without scoring. But on a 10- yard rushing touchdown, the Lions allowed Gurley to run open through the middle with safety Will Harris pretending like he was trying to bring him down.
After Harris let go, Gurley’smomentumcarriedhim just a tad too far, with Gurley trying to fall downbefore crossing the goal line. As Gurley fell, the nose of the ball hit thewhite line, giving the Lions 1: 04 for the final drive to win the game.
“I should have, looking back at it, taken a knee with Matt,” Morris said. “But I just wanted to put the ball in Todd’s hands, a guy who is comfortable carrying the ball in the situation and not having to worry about people jumping on your quarterback, piling on him, trying to knock the ball out of his hands. I wanted to put it in the sure running back’s hands and it was a mistake I made.”
After the game Sunday, Ryan saidnocommunication came into his helmet about taking a knee instead of running the ball.
“Obviously we’d do it differently,” Ryan said. “There’s no question about that. Anytime you don’t come away with the result youwant, you have to take a look at things critically. I respect him for going out there and saying that. But as players, there are a lot of times throughout the game we could have made plays to make it a different outcome. That’swhat wehave to focus on. Wehave to focus on doing our job and making our plays when we get our chances.”
This season hasbeentough forRyan, 35, whoplayedinhis only Super Bowl just five seasons ago. Since then, Ryan’s FalconsreachedtheDivisional Round of the playoffs in 2017 before going 7- 9 in both the 2018and2019 seasons. At 1- 6, it looks likeRyanwillmiss the postseason for the third season in a row and sixth time out of nine years.
Since joining the Falcons, Ryanimmersedhimself in the cityandbecamethemostsuccessful quarterback in franchise history. If itwere up to him, Ryanwould remainwith the Falcons until he decides to retire.
But with a new regime entering the picture this offseason, decisions like that could be out of his control.
“I’ve said it all along. I love Atlanta,” Ryan said. “Iwant to be here. I want to be a part of this organization. I don’t worry about noise outside our building. I try to focus on week toweek gettingmyself ready togo. I’ve said it, Iwant to be here and hopefully that will be the case.”