For 14 years, quarterback Matt Ryan was the face of the Atlanta Falcons franchise. But as of Monday afternoon, he’s set to scale billboards in Indianapolis as the Colts’ big move at quarterback this offseason.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who green-lit Ryan’s trade to the Colts, spoke with great admiration of Ryan as he bid his longtime franchise steward farewell.
Arthur Blank says goodbye to Matt Ryan
Blank and Ryan were partners at the forefront of the Falcons franchise for the QB’s entire run in Atlanta. The Falcons selected Ryan with the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, and he quickly established himself as one of the most efficient starting QBs in the league.
Now, he heads to Indianapolis, and Blank believes Ryan will eventually be able to cap his impressive career with enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
“Matt Ryan has been the epitome of a franchise quarterback during his time here in Atlanta,” Blank said in a team-released statement Monday. “He has represented this organization with great class, professionalism and leadership, both on and off the field, over the past 14 years. It is difficult to overstate what he has meant to me personally, our organization, his teammates and our fans. … He holds every significant passing record in club history, is an All-Pro, an NFL MVP and is without question one of the greatest players in Falcons history. He will one day be added to our Ring of Honor, and it is my belief that a bust in Canton will follow in short order.”
Blank on the decision to trade Ryan
The Falcons attempted to trade for controversial QB Deshaun Watson last week but missed out on the polarizing player, as he picked to join the Cleveland Browns in a mega-deal instead. After striking out with Watson, the Falcons were left with an awkward situation with Ryan.
The QB was due a $7.5 million roster bonus at 4 PM ET on Monday. The Falcons would need to pay that and guarantee Ryan’s standing atop the Atlanta depth chart or trade him elsewhere.
The Falcons decided to take a 2022 third-round pick from the Colts in exchange for Ryan. Atlanta will now deal with a $40.5 million dead money cap hit, and the Colts will anchor their offense to Ryan.
Blank explained the difficult decision to move on from Ryan in his statement.
“This business is not without its difficult decisions, and while this is one of the most difficult decisions we have faced as a club, we feel it is in the best long-term interests of both the Atlanta Falcons and Matt Ryan,” Blank said. “On behalf of the entire Falcons organization, I wish him success as he continues his career and know that he will bring the same dedication and professionalism to his next club. We also wish health and happiness to his wife Sarah and their twin boys, Johnny and Marshall.”