Father Time is undefeated, but Matt Ryan is undeterred. On Tuesday, the Falcons’ quarterback told reporters that he has no plans of slowing down or calling it quits as he enters his age-36 season. 
[RELATED: Falcons “Have To Listen” To Julio Jones Offers]
“If you play well long enough you know these things come up,” Ryan said of the speculation regarding his job security (Twitter link via Tori McElhaney of The Athletic). “I still believe I am playing really well and have a lot of good football in front of me.”
Many believed that the Falcons would select Ryan’s eventual replacement at No. 4 overall. Instead, they invested in Ryan’s offense by drafting Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. For Ryan, it was a clear vote of confidence. Now, the veteran will wait to see if longtime partner Julio Jones will remain by his side.
“He’s probably impacted my career more significantly than any other player,” said the QB (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein).
Pitts, Calvin Ridley, and Hayden Hurst would still stand as capable targets, but no one has a track record to match Jones. Since 2011, Jones has racked up seven Pro Bowl nods with 848 catches, 12,896 yards, and 60 career touchdowns.
While Ryan can’t imagine the Falcons without Jones, new GM Terry Fontenot says they “have to listen” to offers for him.
Notice he said “good football”, not great. Even he knows he’s just alright.
Matty Ice Light, at best
Ryan is still playing at an elite level. The other 52 men, especially on the defensive side, I’m not sure.
I feel like Matt Ryan wrote this comment. He’s nowhere near elite. Lot of young guys have passed him with less talent around them. He is good enough to win, but he’s never been elite. Elite guys don’t need “help” they elevate the play of the guys around them.
That’s just a silly and flat out incorrect comment. Every quarterback, elite or not elite, need players around them. Elite does not mean perfect. Elite means significantly better than most others. Ryan is significantly better than most quarterbacks, and you can see it when he plays-from his ability to make throws to his success in making his reads to his patience and timing with his progressions. I am very far from a Falcons fan, but I and everyone else should know the value Matt Ryan brings to his team. He, like every other quarterback, needs a good team because they cannot control every aspect of the game. They’re quarterbacks, not wizards.
lots of *mediocre football left
He meant footballs* lot of pigskin still available.
Get him some better pass protection and I think he can still make it happen. With those weapons around him, he should not have to be spectacular. Someone should be able to get open with the talent on that offense. Arthur Smith and the coaches should be able to draw up a gameplan to make that happen every week.
GB would take Matt over Bortles or Love! Same for Seattle when Wilson leaves next year. Matt might not be able to carry a team, like HoF’ers do, but with a good supporting cast, he can put up solid numbers.
“If you play well long enough you know these things come up,”
The other thing you know if you play long enough is that the NFL is a “what have you done for us lately” league.