3 desperate moves the Atlanta Falcons might make after Deshaun Watson decision

3. The Atlanta Falcons play hardball with Matt Ryan and refuse to trade the franchise icon

Unless Matt Ryan requested a trade before the team chased Deshaun Watson this franchise has done Matt Ryan all kinds of wrong. Even if that were the case it would come a season after Atlanta allowed Ryan to take hit after hit and lose receiver after receiver while they sat back and watched.

There were offensive guards and receivers on the trade market and in free agency and Atlanta did nothing to help their veteran. This leaves the possibility that Ryan requested out on the table. However, it appears that it was the Falcons who chose to move on from the veteran.

If Atlanta misses out on Watson they are under no obligation to trade Ryan. Should they? Without question, they at least owe that much to a player who has been the perfect franchise quarterback for a team that was lost before Ryan steadied the ship.

What if the Falcons refuse to trade Ryan and attempt to stick with the veteran for another season? It cannot hurt Atlanta to attempt such a move when they already haven’t handled the situation well. Keeping Ryan is unlikely but it is a possibility for a team facing a lot of heat and a lot of questions whether or not they acquire Deshaun Watson.