Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan or Kyle Shanahan has to go in 2016

Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan has a massive contract with the team and that alone will turn a lot of teams away. Not only will the Falcons have a heavy asking price, but the team that gets him would also have to pay a hefty sum of his remaining contract. That’s a big negative for the Falcons.

Nov 29, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is shown on the sideline in the third quarter of their game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Georgia Dome. The Vikings won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Secondly, who are you going to replace him with? Sean Renfree? I don’t think so. If the Falcons do decide to trade him and keep Shanahan as the coordinator, odds are that the team will be in the market for a mobile quarterback. With Shanahan’s ability to turn average running backs into great ones, the running game will be the focus and having a QB that can run around would be a huge plus. We would basically be looking for a Russell Wilson 2.0.

That’s easier said than done. It’s not like there are a bunch of good quarterbacks just waiting to be taken. Who are the Falcons going to go after? Do they go out and draft one? Do you really think Dak Prescott or Cardale Jones is the answer to all of the Falcons’ problems?

Sure, there are some other quarterbacks that will be taken before those guys, but they are all clones of Ryan. Jared Goff, Christian Hackenberg and Connor Cook are all stand in the pocket, pro-style QBs that won’t bring anything else to the table that Ryan can’t.

And if you think the Falcons would waste a first round pick on a quarterback with all of the other holes we have on the team is going to happen thing think again because there is no way on planet Earth that that will happen.