Looking at Matt Ryan’s cap numbers and future options
By Matt Siegman
Will cap numbers keep Matt Ryan be in the future plans for the Falcons?
After Dan Quinn led the Atlanta Falcons to an 0-5 start, there are a lot of questions about the next regime and the future of Matt Ryan. At thirty-five years old Matt Ryan is still performing at a high level despite the team’s lack of success.
Matt Ryan is putting up a ton of yards but not a lot of touchdowns so far during the 2020 NFL season. A large part of that is due to the terrible play-calling of offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. Matt Ryan’s play-calling has been terrible in the red zone and the main reason why the Atlanta Falcons kick a lot of field goals instead of touchdowns.
Looking ahead Matt Ryan has said multiple times in interviews, that he wants to play into his 40s like Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Matt Ryan can play for another four-five years after this season. We have seen multiple older quarterbacks having great seasons late into their careers.
Most notably at thirty-seven years old, Peyton Manning threw an NFL record of 55 touchdowns during the 2013 season with the Denver Broncos.
A large part of Matt Ryan’s future with the Atlanta Falcons will depend on what the next regime wants to do according to Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur Blank. Although, because of Matt Ryan’s contract it would be wise if the next regime kept Matt Ryan and tried to win now.
This season Matt Ryan’s cap number is only $18.9 Million which is amazing for a quarterback. Unfortunately, his cap number rises to $40.9 Million next season and the NFL cap space is going to shrink even more due to Covid.
Can the Falcons afford to cut or trade Matt Ryan?
Cutting Matt Ryan in the offseason is not an option because the Atlanta Falcons would lose $9 Million in cap space and lose another $49 million in dead money. Having him as the June 1st cut is also not an option because the Atlanta Falcons would have $23 Million in dead money both this offseason and next offseason.
Trading Matt Ryan is also not an option this upcoming offseason. If the Atlanta Falcons traded Matt Ryan before June 1st, they would lose $3 Million in cap space and have an additional $44.4 Million in dead money.
If the Atlanta Falcons traded him after June 1st, they would gain $23 Million in cap space but have $17 Million in dead money this offseason and the following offseason.
The other two options the Atlanta Falcons could explore is a restructure or an extension. If the Atlanta Falcons restructured his contract in the offseason, the Atlanta Falcons would receive $14 Million in cap space. If the Atlanta Falcons gave Matt Ryan a contract extension, they would receive $17.5 Million in cap space.
After looking at possible options for Matt Ryan’s contract the two most likely options are to trade him after June 1st this upcoming offseason or restructure his contract.
The Atlanta Falcons are currently projected to have -$25 Million in cap space so they must do something about his $40 million cap number in 2021.
In the past couple of years, the Atlanta Falcons have converted Matt Ryan’s base salary into a signing bonus and are consistently receiving more cap space each year by doing so. The New England Patriots started this transaction years ago with Tom Brady.
dark. Next. 7 Round Atlanta Falcons 2021 Mock Draft
The next regime will decide what to do with Matt Ryan’s contract. The way the NFL is now Coaches and General Managers must produce results right away or they will get fired. For the next regime, it will be smart of them to restructure Matt Ryan’s contact and have the mentality of win now.
A future Hall of Fame quarterback gives the Atlanta Falcons the best chance to win.