The Atlanta Falcons have locked-up franchise quarterback Matt Ryan with a 5-year $103.75 million contract extension that will keep the 28-year-old in Atlanta until he is 32.
The deal, which expires in 2018, includes $59 million in guaranteed money and $63 million over the first three years. The three-year $63 million dollar payout is the largest in history, according to reports. Ryan will make an average of $20.75 million annually. Ryan's average salary is second in the NFL to the Green Bay Packer's Aaron Rodgers, who nets a median of $22 million per year.
Ryan had a career season last year that saw him lead the Falcons to an NFC-best 13-3 record and to the NFC Championship where they eventually fell to the San Francisco 49ers in a close game.
After bringing his team to one win away from the Super Bowl, Atlanta extended Ryan ahead of training camp this season. The Falcons selected Ryan third overall in the 2008 NFL draft, and he has $10 million left on his rookie contract entering this, his sixth season.
Ryan had a year to remember for the Falcons last season. The 6-foot-5 quarterback threw for 4,719 yards while recording 32 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Ryan had a passer rating of 99.1 during last year's campaign. Atlanta's victory over Seattle in January at the Georgia Dome was the first-career playoff win for Ryan and propelled the team to the NFC Championship.
Ryan's guaranteed $59 million salary trails only Drew Brees, who was guaranteed $60 million in his five-year $100 million pact with the New Orleans Saints last year.
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