Matt Ryan’s time in Atlanta is numbered

Matt Ryan’s days in Atlanta are numbered.

After the Atlanta Falcons fired Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff, one thing was clear: Matt Ryan’s time in Atlanta is running out. Ryan is 35-years-old and is owed $23 million next year, with a $40 million cap hit.

Forget the ‘72 Dolphins and the 18-1 Patriots, the only team that’s truly undefeated is Father Time.

This isn’t a hit piece against Matt Ryan. He is the best quarterback to don an Atlanta Falcons uniform so far. He is Matty Ice for a reason, the man has been clutch and was tasked with bringing an entire franchise out of the grips of despair.

For so many years, Ryan wasn’t the problem. He’s always had to outplay the horror of a defense the Falcons have run out alongside him.

But since Shanahan left, Ryan hasn’t been the same. No, he didn’t get any help from Steve Sarkisian or Dirk Koetter, but that’s inexcusable being a vet, with the talent he has around him. The Falcons invested in their offensive line with a myriad of picks, they put Gurley in the backfield and gave Julio Jones his money and Calvin Ridley on the other side. They replaced Austin Hooper with Hayden Hurst.

Matt Ryan isn’t the same in 2020.

This year, Matt Ryan has looked timid. In 2016, Ryan did a great job of throwing people open, anticipating throws, putting the ball on a spot. This year, his deep ball accuracy has been putrid, he isn’t able to beat zone coverage, and he’s thrown just one touchdown over his past three games.

That’s not gonna cut it. Keep in mind, offenses don’t usually click in year one with a new coordinator and all signs point to a new regime coming in next year. That means Ryan would be 37 when he finally gets the hang of the new offense.

With diminishing arm strength and athleticism that he never really possesses, what about that makes sense?

Arthur Blank was all but non-committal to Ryan sticking around past this year. Blank has been burnt in the past but being too loyal to nice guys, but an 0-5 start will put a reality check on you nice and fast. The Falcons and Rich McKay, who’s serving as interim general manager, may be hesitant to make an in-season trade.

But after the new leadership is installed, Atlanta should do more than listen to offers, they should find the best one and pull the trigger.

Unfortunately, Harvey Dent from Batman was right. “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain.” Matt Ryan had his chance to be a hero in Super Bowl 51 but right now, he’s becoming a villain.