Atlanta Falcons: What Brees’ deal means to Matt Ryan?
061912 FLOWERY BRANCH: Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan completes a pass during the first day of mini-camp in Flowery Branch on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
BIRDLAND – The cost of playing quarterback in the NFL just went up for league owners.
With the New Orleans Saints signing Drew Brees to a five-year, $100 million contract on Friday, the ancillary beneficiaries include Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Dallas’ Tony Romo. Their contracts expire in 2013. Down the road a bit, Detroit’s Matthew Stafford and Carolina’s Cam Newton should also benefit.
Ryan, who’s set to make a base salary of $11.5 million this season and $10 million next season, is nearing the end of a six-year, $72 million deal.
Ryan still has time to set his value. He wasn’t selected by the players as one of the top 100 players in the league. However, ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski selected him as the 11th rated quarterback in the league.
Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons have made it a practice to re-sign players to contract extensions in the last year of their deals if they plan to retain them.
Last season, tight end Tony Gonzalez received an extension. In 2010, with the labor strife, the Falcons did not offer any extensions. In 2008, they extended defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and wide receiver Michael Jenkins.
Ryan has posted a 43-19 record in four seasons with the Falcons. He was drafted in the first round (third overall) of the 2008 NFL draft. He has guided them to the playoffs in three of his four seasons, but is 0-3.
He’s set to play under a new offensive coordinator — Dirk Koetter — this season for the first time.
The bulk of guaranteed money in Ryan’s contract was paid out in 2011, when he earned a $22 million roster bonus on top of his $10.25 million salary.
“Of course, Drew Brees’ $60 [million] guarantee is half of [former Atlanta Hawk] Joe Johnson’s $120M and one quarter of [baseball player] Albert Pujols’ $240M; some perspective,” wrote former NFL executive Andrew Brandt in a tweet. He used to negotiate the contracts for the Green Bay Packers.
Brandt added that the key to Brees’ contact was that Peyton Manning signed with the Denver Broncos for $18 million in 2012 and noted that if he passes his 2013 physical a $40 million guarantee would be activated, giving him a $58 million guarantee.
Other top quarterbacks like Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and New England’s Tom Brady, also stand to benefit from Brees’ deal. Rogers, who is under contract for the next three seasons, has a contract that averages $8 million.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
127 comments Add your comment
Mr. SaintsFan Jr.
July 13th, 2012
11:04 pm
All you need is one SB win to get off that dreaded list of teams who have never won a SB title.Drew Brees took the Saints off that list. Do I think he’s worth a 100 mill.?, no QB or football player is worth tha kind of money, but it’s what the market is bearing these days and I don’t blame Drew or any other QB for taking the money.Matt Ryan may become an elite type of QB making that kind of money and if he does more power to him.
Norb Hecker
July 13th, 2012
11:09 pm
BountyGate won the SB by cheating
and the Saints are the only team on that dreaded list.
SeenThisB4
July 13th, 2012
11:10 pm
@Norb Hecker: Actually, the Saints clobbered the Giants 49-24 last year. How’d y’all do against them?
Michael M.
July 13th, 2012
11:14 pm
Never saw anything worth 100 million let alone a human being…….lmao. No wonder you can’t afford to buy tickets anymore.
Bullfalcon
July 13th, 2012
11:21 pm
The “E” word discussion is nothing more than media sensationalism.The general consensus is that there are three or so “elite” quarterbacks and everyone else sucks. The season before last, Drew Brees and Eli Manning were hardly in the “elite qb” discussion. Drew Brees had thrown over 20 picks and Eli was fairing worse than him. Meanwhile Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, and Mike Vick were the best passers in the conference that year. And yet here we are one year later, yammering about how Eli is better than Peyton and hailing Drew Brees as the best to ever play the game (I still think Marino is the best to ever play qb, but I digress). In short, “elite” status changes really quickly. So to all the saints fans trolling on this blog, go ahead and talk trash. I won’t argue with you because you know what? Drew Brees is better than Matt Ryan (if all you’ve been looking for was a Falcon fan admitting to that, then there you have it, now please leave this blog!). But when Brees slips up along the way in his five year deal (he’s done it before), don’t go hold a pity party for yourselves, because the rest of us have had to endure your arrogant, obnoxious, and short-sighted idiocy.
Mr. SaintsFan Jr.
July 13th, 2012
11:32 pm
Hey there Norb, your Falicants are prominent on that list of teams who have never won a SB. I know some of you would like to put an asterik there, but that won’t ever happen because we won that game fair and square>>>kiss the ring baby!
Maynard Jackson
July 13th, 2012
11:40 pm
again and again and again
Coach Payton's Painkillers
July 13th, 2012
11:53 pm
Brees has a ring and he deserves the $$$$$. I like Ryan but can he at least match the playoff win total of Bartkowski before we start speculating how Bree’s contract impact’s Ryan’s situation? Unfortunately ATL picked the wrong era to slowly improve. tough to break through in a loaded NFC.
Heck, ask the Saints fans about that-their visions of TWO DAT dynastic glory went up in the smoke of Marshawn Lynch, Vernon Davis and the NFC West and now BountyGate
ernisTbass
July 14th, 2012
3:25 am
it means that Ryan is still the third best QB in the NFC south and until that changes it probably doesn’t mean anything else
yo mama
July 14th, 2012
4:06 am
anyone that says the saints won because they did it fair and square is ludricrous. they intercepted other teams coaches, they were dealing drugs in the training room, they intentionally sponsored a bounty system. to say the saint got where they were by doing it fair and square is a joke. who cares what brees did? they cheated everytime to get there. so, i will stick with class, and matty ice.
the numbers with the saints are skewed. brees will break his leg this year. payback is about to slam down upon the with great force as hell hath no fury.
Nola Cola
July 14th, 2012
6:51 am
What it means is that he will continue LOOKING UP at the man who is one of the ELITE players in the sport ——– something that he will NEVER be himself, especially after putting up an entire TWO POINTS in a playoff game …………….. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Falcons fan from Day 1
July 14th, 2012
7:21 am
I congratulate Brees on his contract. It is for what he has already done and for the fact that he brings excitement to a city mired in tragedy and riddled in crime. Brees is an elite QB and I admire his ability to thread the needle with some of those sideline passes. The Saints have had the Falcons number recently and yet (with the exception of the last game where the Saints kicked our butt) the previous 6 games games were decided by a total of 16 points (where the Falcons outscored the Saints 173-157). That is hardly dominant! Drew Brees was Drafted in 2001 and didn’t win a playoff game until 2006, having only made the Playoffs once until he broke though with a win and a loss in 2006 with New Orleans.
I am not worried about Ryan. His development is ahead of what Drew’s was at this point in his career. I had always respected Saints fans because like the TRUE Falcons fans we both pulled for our teams and never gave up hope. But I would advise people who think Drew was better than Matt at this point in their career, to do a little research. I congratulate you all on your Superbowl and am happy to see your city starting to do well again. I will never give up on my Falcons. We are poised to break through and I hope we do. I will say after watching them for 45 years and not having back to back winning seasons until Matty Ice and Mike Smith arrived, I am encouraged by the string of 4 they have put together!
Saintsrdone
July 14th, 2012
7:47 am
Since NewOrleans is hosting the Superbowl nothing would be more fitting than to have them hosting the Superbowl with their rivals the Atlanta Falcons playing in it and winning it in their hometown. Something to think about who dat nation, they made it and played in the Superbowl before.
D man
July 14th, 2012
8:17 am
Bree’s is getting old for an NFL player and will be falling off every year here on out. Last year was his peak year and so this year will be much less from a productivity standpoint. Matt is getting better every year and won’t peak for 6 or 7 more years. I’m excited about our great team this season.
Lets Go FALCONS!!!
birdhatcher
July 14th, 2012
8:26 am
Last year Brees set a record this year he may set another one or two. Most interceptions and most sacked quarterback in the NFL.
Kyle
July 14th, 2012
8:32 am
Brees has a Superbowl under his belt so that kind of money is okay but Ryan hasn’t won a playoff game. If it was up to me it would be pay on performance but that makes to much sense to ever be accepted.
who dat nation
July 14th, 2012
8:39 am
brees is worth every penny he receved and more. It means the saints will continue to beat up on the lowly failcants for years to come. Some of you failcants fans need to stop showing your true colors (HATERS). Call the saints cheaters all you want to, if you think that no other teams in the nfl did or does the same thing then you are a idiot. Now, when your lousy failcants wins a super bowl holler at your boy, other then that continue to sit in the georgia dome and watch that pathetic failcants team, with NO OFFENSE a nd a half way decent DEFENSE. How does those two points your team scored in the playoffs this past year feels. Even better how about that sweep at the hands on the saints feels.
Just Wing It
July 14th, 2012
8:43 am
All the Saints fans must be suffering hangovers from their only victory this year > Signing Drew Breeze.
I can’t wait until the Season gets started and see it all unfold. Must be awesome when you have to depend on one player to make or break your team’s season. Never put all your apples in one basket !
Good but short
July 14th, 2012
9:49 am
He’s really not much without Graham and Sproles. Falcons have the answer as the saints fall apart.
Saints are simply better than the FAILCANTS
July 14th, 2012
10:05 am
Fact….we have actions and a ring….you have words of hatred and no ring….you can’t win a playoff game…we won a SB,,,,you’re a jealous, delusional, loser fan base…sad….
Saints are simply better than the FAILCANTS
July 14th, 2012
10:10 am
The Saints hate above is nothing more than jealousy from the perennial loser Falclowns fan base…you got nothing else but words…..I guess you feel better by HOPING for a victory against the Saints? Hope is not a strategy…Didn’t work last year and won’t work this year…your team is pathetic and an under-achieving joke to the NFL….Saints are simply better…kiss da ring, loosahs…oh wait….who dat, we dat….you ain’t dat…stay classy, rednecks and ghetto dwellers from ‘de-cab and souf futon’…
Just Wing It
July 14th, 2012
10:14 am
Saints Fans should be penalized as the Team and be made to pay for their harsh words on the Atlanta Falcons Blog Sites ! Maybe they need to place Bountygate on their idiotic delusional fanbase as well !
True Falcon Fan
July 14th, 2012
10:22 am
I say good for Brees! These owners they’ve got the $$$$$$$$$$$$ — and don’t think for second these owners don’t talk together in secure conferencing to get the numbers right. All you haters, jealous ZERO’s and those ZERO’s that think somebody owes you something because of your cultural ancestry’s missed opportunities, “FORGETABOUTIT”!!!!!! “Smoke of that awhile U “ZERO”…….
Rest assured MR2 you stay healthy & “Win Baby Win” – You’ll for sure will be paid the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ .
Go Falcons!!!!
True Falcon Fan
July 14th, 2012
10:38 am
Also as the man, Ray Lewis always says before the game — “Respect” is EARNED and I think ole Ray would say in this case as in $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ — Drew Brees #9 “Baby you EARNED IT”!!!!!!!!
Ray Lewis — Now there’s a man that knows — “Nobody owes him anything”!!! Hey ZERO, you asking yourself “WHY” —- Because ZERO — He has earned the money & the respect!!!! That’s OK baby stay at home and play with your “Rubber Duck” — Take care of momma yea here!! Me i’m justa Truckin’ on down the road “Don’t cha know”
Go Falcons!!!!!
St. Richt
July 14th, 2012
10:45 am
Shouldn’t be much of an impact, Ryan is NOT the QB Brees is and might never be. Also, Brees has won a Super Bowl, Ryan hasn’t won a playoff game and has been a disaster in the 3 awful losses.
Just Sayin.....
July 14th, 2012
10:59 am
Ryan should receive a pay cut, not an extension. He will be lucky if Blank is foolish enought to give him another contract.
Just Sayin.....
July 14th, 2012
11:06 am
The Atlanta fan base and Ryan better pray that the Eagles don’t make it to the superbowl, because Blank will look like a fool for his choice in quarterbacks.
This team will be stripped next season if this happens. New coach/gm/qb.
Just Sayin.....
July 14th, 2012
11:09 am
3 tds, 4 picks, zero 200 yard games, 0-3 for those keeping playoff stats.
Just Wing It
July 14th, 2012
11:30 am
yeah, those Eagles had an off year last go round but they always bad to the bone and may just come out swinging with a vengeance and spell doom for the whole NFC South. You just never know
John
July 14th, 2012
11:33 am
Saints fans should worry about the Panthers having a bounty on Brees after they tried to take out Newton. Hope they do the same thing to Brees and hit him illegally after the whistle as well and take his legs out.
Just Wing It
July 14th, 2012
11:37 am
They went after Big Josh too on Tampa Bay so they will be lookin to score one of those big “lights out” hits on Breeze when they play against em too.
Just Wing It
July 14th, 2012
11:41 am
Good thing he got that contract signed and tucking away the bucks for he will be on the ‘ Most Wanted’ Posters on most of the Teams they will play this year…..hehehehe
BIGBEN42
July 14th, 2012
11:54 am
Look’s like football player’s chose the wrong sport.Basketball and baseball player’s salaries are a lot higher and guaranteed.
Falcon Fanatic
July 14th, 2012
12:02 pm
It’s pretty amusing to see so many Stains fans trolling on the AJC. Must not have anyplace of their own they can stink up and talk about their QB with the skid mark on the side of his face.
ronnie turner
July 14th, 2012
12:11 pm
in the place drew brees was not worth that kind of money but mightly ice should get the same contract
Michael M.
July 14th, 2012
12:23 pm
Some funny comments on here today. Should be interesting when the regular Season gets started. What worries me on the Falcons is that offensive line. Can they stand solid this year and hold up against the opponent’s defenses and not let them push them back into Matt Ryan and sack him ?
True Falcon Fan
July 14th, 2012
12:39 pm
@Sayin 10:59 why don’t “just sayin” the fact is you don’t like MR2, and then you are jus sayin – You moronic “NUT”!!!!
Jus Sayin — I’m thinkin your thinkin’ AB pays close attention to whatever “JUST SAYIN” —- What a MORON!!! You & ZERO —- Two peas in a pod!
Go MR2 Go Falcons!!!!
True Falcon Fan
July 14th, 2012
12:42 pm
12:23 On spot on — OL is definitely on the radar!!
Falcon James
July 14th, 2012
2:20 pm
Glad to see the Bree’s deal is worked out so we can stop talking about it.
The Falcons have Camp and a Season to play. I agree with Michael that the OL has some work ahead of them. I think the new offensive scheme will help them. When the other teams can predict your play, the OL pays the price. I think we will see marked improvement this season.
keep it real
July 14th, 2012
5:14 pm
It means nothing as one guy is a superstar and the other is an average NFL qb.
who dat sAint
July 14th, 2012
5:27 pm
WORKING AT
““““““““““““
_______________ Sean Payton Used Cars ?
1-800-BOUNTYGATE
CGD..
July 14th, 2012
6:17 pm
“Ryan, who’s set to make a base salary of $11.5 million this season and $10 million next season, is nearing the end of a six-year, $72 million deal.
Ryan still has time to set his value. He wasn’t selected by the players as one of the top 100 players in the league. However, ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski selected him as the 11th rated quarterback in the league.
Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons have made it a practice to re-sign players to contract extensions in the last year of their deals if they plan to retain them.”
This Buster was shutout by the 27th ranked defense in the NFL?
Mr. Blank is already starting to look for his next QB on the down low of course…
Pocket awareness is his weakness besides the inconsistent arm too boot..Start looking….
CGD..
July 14th, 2012
6:19 pm
4-10 against the winners the past two years? Busters alright…..
Extensions? How bout Greyhound!!!! They leave on the hour!
who dat sAint
July 14th, 2012
6:22 pm
Head Coach awareness is his weakness besides the
divorce, suspension, bountygate and the pain pill problem.
Rock Solid
July 14th, 2012
11:38 pm
Matt Ryan built his stats during a period when the NFC South was the weakest it’s ever been ( except New Orleans). When it counted in the playoffs, Ryan has turned into a gimp every time. Fact is Matt Ryan couldn’t hold Brees’s jock if he tried. Fans aren’t buying it either as 790 am did a charity telethon last week and the Matt Ryan signed jersey was almost the last thing to go.
Falcons fan from Day 1
July 15th, 2012
2:07 am
I hope they continue to show a lot of Saints games in the Panhandle of Florida this year. After all the people moved here from New Orleans after Katrina, the crime rate goes down significantly for three hours every time the Saints are on television!
Atlanta Falcons: What Brees’ deal means to Matt Ryan? | NFL Online News
July 15th, 2012
9:06 am
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged Atlanta, Brees, deal, Falcons, Matt, Means, Ryan. Bookmark the permalink. ← Josh Gordon vows not to let Cleveland Browns down [...]
Kyle
July 15th, 2012
12:03 pm
Just sayin…..I hardly think Blank would look like a fool no matter what happens for not keeping a criminal on the team. That being said he does need to spend his money wisely and get a Super Bowl team in this city.
atlnative
July 15th, 2012
12:18 pm
Matt Ryan needs to worry about winning a playoff game first than his max contract. Ryan has a great running back,a great receiving corps,and a decent defense.
Falcon James
July 15th, 2012
12:21 pm
I love the comparisons between Brees and Ryan. I have read that Brees benefited from alot of screen passes, something Ryan has not. But set that aside, Ryan has a career passing average of 7 yards per pass. Brees has a career average of 7.4. So Brees has averaged 1 FOOT more per pass. WOW!!! I am seriously not impressed.