The Atlanta Falcons have had their obvious struggles ever since the Super Bowl 51 loss.
There were rumors surrounding the team in 2019 that head coach Dan Quinn would be getting fired.
But, after a strong finish to the season, management decided to hang onto him.
Well, that proved to be unwise as Atlanta fired Quinn in the middle of the 2020 season.
Heading into the offseason, this origination will be surrounded with numerous questions about their future.
Who do they hire as head coach?
What needs do they need to fill?
Typically, when a new coach is brought in, he gets to pick his staff and ultimately, get’s to decide who he wants running his team.
In other words, he holds a large stake in determining the future of Matt Ryan.
Should The Atlanta Falcons Cut Matt Ryan?
QB Matt Ryan still has some football left in him at age 35.
He was surrounded by trade rumors earlier in 2020, but nothing ever happened.
Falcons QB Matt Ryan on trade rumors and if he wants to stay:
"I don't worry about that… but no doubt, I want to be here.. I l love Atlanta." pic.twitter.com/tcVNzitY17
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) October 26, 2020
As it currently stands, Ryan is still with the Falcons.
If they do choose to move off of him, one option would be releasing him.
But, that seems unlikely as they would run into some cap trouble.
In 2021, Matt Ryan will have a dead cap of near $40,000,000.
Will The Atlanta Falcons Trade Matt Ryan?
If they do not cut him, then they could explore some trade options.
There are plenty of teams that would like the services of Matt Ryan.
One being the San Francisco 49ers, where Ryan could have a reunion with head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Regardless of who wants him, the Falcons will still be looking at some cap issues.
“A trade in March would cost them more than $44 million in dead cap” Sporting News reports.
Chances are Atlanta will not receive an enticing enough offer that would make them want to eat that cap.
Ryan is going to be 36 in the offseason and comes with a large cap hit, so I don’t see any team offering the house for him.
Matt Ryan has surpassed Peyton Manning for the most passing yards through a player’s first 13 seasons in league history.
📝 – https://t.co/nS8bLHa8Ed pic.twitter.com/jEXjrv4j3I
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 13, 2020
But, Ryan has done a great deal for this Falcons organization and if he wants out, they may have to grant his wish.
Personally, Ryan’s best fit may still be with the Atlanta Falcons next season, just under a different role.
Matt Ryan The Mentor
Even if Atlanta decides to ride it out with Ryan, he is only the short term answer.
With a projected top 10 pick in a class with multiple QB1 options, Atlanta may decide to draft their future franchise quarterback.
Moving and shaking in the 2021 NFL Draft order! pic.twitter.com/SxJ71proVs
— NFL Mocks (@NFLMocks) December 14, 2020
Trey Lance out of North Dakota State could be a viable option.
Zach Wilson out of BYU, Mac Jones out of Alabama, and Kyle Trask out of Florida are other presentable options.
Regardless — whoever Atlanta selects — they may feel need more time to learn and develop.
Thus, Ryan would still be the starting quarterback while also mentoring the young rookie quarterback.
Although he doesn’t have a Super Bowl under his belt, Ryan has been an efficient quarterback in the NFL for over a decade.
Atlanta’s offense certainly has the pieces to continually be explosive in WR’s Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.
Only time will truly tell what happens with Ryan.
But, it seems more likely than not that he remains a Falcon through 2023.
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