The Falcons Have Big Contract Decisions to Make

Matt Ryan or Devonta Freeman: Who’s next on Atlanta’s extension list?

Offensive tackle Ryan Schraeder, cornerback Robert Alford, and as of this past weekend, corner Desmond Trufant are recent beneficiaries of Atlanta’s financial goodwill. Barring unforeseen, unexpected, or unfortunate circumstances, all three figure to play integral parts in the Falcons’ future.

Now the focus turns to the multi-multi-million dollar question: Does Atlanta reward its franchise quarterback and current NFL MVP with a hefty new contract, or does it provide that same long-term security and stability to one of the best young running backs in the league, Devonta Freeman?

You will find a logically sound debate for both men to receive extensions as soon as possible. Matt Ryan elevated his game to new heights last season; his steady hand and veteran leadership shepherding the team through the NFL’s toughest schedule, the playoffs, and ultimately earning a berth in the Super Bowl. Matty Ice’s maturation, as a leader and a quarterback, was a high point of Atlanta’s magnificent run in 2016.

While the All-Pro quarterback is the unequivocal soul of the Atlanta Falcons, the argument can be made that Devonta Freeman is the heartbeat. The charismatic fourth-year back oozes confidence beyond his relative youth, features a jump-cut that creates a collection of cleats along the line of scrimmage, and embodies the on-and-off-field traits that NFL teams covet. Vision. Toughness. Speed. Humility.

Looking back, securing Freeman in the fourth round of 2014’s draft seems worthy of a stint in Alcatraz.

Both men are deserving of and will likely receive lucrative contract extensions from the Falcons, but who gets a new payday first?

Now I don’t claim to be a Salary Cap Sage like Thomas Dimitroff, but I believe that Freeman is the guy. Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, and his camp doing a bit of social media sabre-rattling before and after the Super Bowl, I think the Falcons front office have made extending Devonta Freeman a point of emphasis at some point in 2017. The team obviously thinks the world of him and his still sky-high potential, so with free agency on the horizon, I feel that this gets done sooner than later.

Dimitroff provided some insight into the situation to Sporting News’ Alex Marvez:

"“We will address this,” Dimitroff said. “When you look at our history, we address these situations going into training camp. I’m throwing that out there as a general timeline. I don’t know when that exactly will be, but I’m confident that something can get wrapped up and he’s going to be part of us for years to come.“He represents our style of running — urgency, competitive and passionate. It’s fun to watch him as it is (running back) Tevin Coleman.”"

Dimitroff was prudent not to establish any firm timetable, but the subtext of his comments is clear enough: the Falcons want Freeman to be a part of their game plan for the foreseeable future.

And that leaves Matt Ryan.

An ESPN analysis of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks has Matt Ryan lurking on the periphery, falling just behind Atlanta nemesis Cam Newton on the list of top ten. With shiny new and well-earned hardware on his mantelpiece, Matty has shown that he deserves to be higher on this list.

The catch? He still has two years remaining on the five-year/$103.75 million contract he signed back in 2013. This provides the front office with some time and wiggle-room to hammer out a deal fitting for a league MVP, that is, of course, if Ryan is amenable to coasting on the terms of his current contract.

Professional football is Big Business, and contract negotiations take some time to conclude. After the punch-in-the-gut that was Super Bowl LI, Ryan and Freeman have some of business of their own that remains unfinished. Both will enter the upcoming season with mega-sized chips on their shoulders, and one with slightly heavier pockets as well.