The Atlanta Falcons have restructured quarterback Matt Ryan’s contract yet again. As reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport and PFF’s Brad Spielberger on Friday, the Falcons freed up $12 million in cap space for the 2022 season.
The #Falcons have restructured the contract of QB Matt Ryan, source said, created $12M worth of cap room ahead of the new league year. Ryan, due $23.75M in cash in 2022, previously had a cap number of $48.66M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2022
The veteran signal-caller was set to have a cap hit of $48.6 million in 2022 prior to the restructure. With so many teams looking for a quarterback, many had assumed Ryan would be at the focal point of trade talks. But the former No. 3 overall pick’s price tag would have made it unlikely for a move to take place this offseason.
The front office had been hoping not to touch Ryan’s contract as to not further exacerbate the problem. After all, previous restructures are what caused Ryan’s cap hit to become so unmanageable in the first place.
With the extra cash from Ryan’s contract and the $11 million that Ridley’s suspension frees up, the Falcons now have a little more flexibility for free agency, which officially kicks off on March 16.
Ryan threw for 3,968 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for the Falcons last season.
