Atlanta Falcons extending Jake Matthews is the perfect move

On the heels of the Atlanta Falcons re-structuring Matt Ryan’s contract Atlanta has extended their left tackle Jake Matthews. Extending Matthews isn’t simply about keeping one of their best players locked up.

Extending Matthews helps Atlanta with the all important cap space.  Locking up Matthews is a great move in itself when you consider how poorly the Atlanta offensive line has played. Matthews is a stalwart that the Falcons can attempt to build around this off-season.

With Matthews and Matt Ryan’s contracts both redone Atlanta has created more than enough cap space to bring back their best players and sign their draft class. Grady Jarrett could be up next considering an extension would help to off-set his massive cap hit this season.

Despite the news that Tom Brady is returning to the NFC South the Falcons seem determined to continue to create cap space and compete next season. Extending Matthews and working on Ryan’s contract are moves that point to that fact.

Atlanta wants to win now and to do that they need to continue to create cap space and find ways to bring in talent apart from the draft. Whether or not this approach works out remains to be seen but it is the right move for a franchise stuck for four years in irrelevance.

Two move obvious moves for Atlanta to create a bit more cap space are cutting running back Mike Davis and extending Grady Jarrett. These two moves combined with the rest of Atlanta’s off-season should be enough to create cap space for a free agency swing.

Whether it is attempting to make one splashy signing or a myriad of lower tier veteran signings Atlanta will have a chance to make impact moves in free agency.  Something the team must do considering the return of Tom Brady and the possibility of Deshaun Watson joining the division.