Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is taking everything into consideration when it comes to working on a contract extension for quarterback Matt Ryan.
Roughly a week after the Minnesota Vikings made Kirk Cousins the league's highest-paid quarterback on a three-year, fully-guaranteed $84-million contract, Dimitroff is factoring it into how he proceeds with negotiations for the 2016 MVP.
"I think all of the market will factor into how we do Matt and how we approach Matt, there's no question about that,'' Dimitroff said Wednesday, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.
"If I were to state the significance of it, I think it's just a piece of the pie. His representation is looking at it and, of course, we're looking at it through a different lens. We're always mindful that we're aware of everything else. From an analytical standpoint and a statistical standpoint and a financial standpoint, we know that it ultimately comes back to what we're doing with this organization and what we deem as a win-win for both parties,'' said Dimitroff.
Ryan will enter the final year of a five-year, $103.75-million extension in 2018. He's due $19.25 million but will carry a cap hit of $21.65 million. His own performance and the market for franchise quarterbacks have risen significantly since that extension was signed.
The league's five highest quarterback contracts on an annual average value have been handed out since last summer.
| Name | Team | AAV |
|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins | Vikings | $28M |
| Jimmy Garappolo | 49ers | $27.5M |
| Matthew Stafford | Lions | $27M |
| Drew Brees | Saints | $25M |
| Derek Carr | Raiders | $25M |
Dimitroff says he continues negotiating the contract with Ryan's agent, Tom Condon, but he, and head coach Dan Quinn, have maintained a relationship with Ryan throughout the process.
"Matt knows what this team is about and he knows what he can do for this team at a number of levels. He knows that he's right up against a third contract in the NFL, and those are big contracts and significant discussion points. And he's very aware of that. And he's aware of everyone on the team being aware of it. He doesn't want to be a distraction. That's him. Ultimately, he's a team guy through and through. Again, hopefully we can move through this and get this done,'' Dimitroff said.
Ryan followed up his MVP campaign by completing 64.7 percent of 529 pass attempts for 4,095 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in his first season under offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian in 2017.
