Reigning NFL MVP Matt Ryan did not have a tremendous 2017 campaign. His Atlanta Falcons team fell short in its hopes of repeating as conference champs, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in last weekend’s NFC Divisional Playoffs.
As for Ryan, he put up just 20 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions en route to leading an offense that ranked in the middle of the pack in scoring. This came on the heels of Ryan tossing 38 touchdowns and seven picks while leading the league’s No. 1-scoring offense in 2016.
Despite his struggles, the Falcons are making it their top offseason priority to extend the 32-year-old Ryan.
Thomas Dimitroff says the main focus this offseason will be on getting Matt Ryan’s next contract done. Taking care of QB1. #Falcons
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) January 18, 2018
Ryan has one season remaining on the five-year, $103.8 million extension he signed back in 2013. Based on the current quarterback market, he’s vastly underpaid. In fact, Ryan’s annual average makes him the 11th highest-paid quarterback in the league, just ahead of Ryan Tannehill and Andy Dalton.
If the Falcons’ priority is to extend Ryan this spring, he might very well set a new bar. Derek Carr became the game’s highest-paid player this past offseason. Then, Matthew Stafford topped his counterpart immediately prior to the start of the 2017 season.