News

Falcons QB Matt Ryan Signs Five-Year, $150M Extension With Team For Record Per-Year Salary

Matt Ryan just made NFL history in signing a contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons.

Matt Ryan Signs Extension with Falcons

The quarterback, who will be 33 this month, has inked a $150 million, five-year deal with the team that includes $100 million guaranteed. According to ESPN, Ryan is now the first NFL player to make $30 million per year.

Ryan was heading into the last year of a five-year extension he signed in July 2013. Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins held the previous record for the highest per-year salary with $28 million. Next on the list are two other passers: San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo ($27.5 million) and Detroit’s Matthew Stafford ($27 million). Cousins had $84 million guaranteed in one deal he signed.

SLIDESHOW: 30 Best Sports Instagrams!

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Ryan helped lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl after the 2016 season, where they lost to the New England Patriots in overtime. The former Boston College star — the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 Draft — was named NFL MVP that year.

Per ESPN, Ryan boasts the league record with a 64-game streak of 200 or more passing yards. He is 4-6 in the postseason and has appeared in two NFC Championship Games.

SLIDESHOW: 10 Highest-Paid Athletes

The Falcons finished 10-6 in 2017 for third in the NFC South. The team did not pick any quarterbacks in this year’s draft. Instead, Atlanta took Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley, South Florida defensive tackle Deaderin Senat and Southern Miss running back Ito Smith. The Falcons also selected LSU wideout Russell Gage, Colorado cornerback Isaiah Oliver and Yale linebacker Foyesade Oluokun. 

 

Like
Like Love Haha Wow Sad Angry
Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

Giants’ GM Joe Schoen Given One More Chance Despite Miserable Record

After the firings of head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen during the…

13 minutes ago

After Ravens Fire 18-Year-Head Coach John Harbaugh, 7 NFL Teams Call Him Within 24 Hours

The Baltimore Ravens will be looking for a new coach for the first time since…

7 hours ago

Is Lamar Jackson’s Future In Baltimore?

The Baltimore Ravens lost the game and the division on one missed kick, could they…

1 day ago

Does Travis Kelce Have One More Season In Him?

Does the star crossed lover still have blank space for one more season, or will…

1 day ago

50 Sports Greats Who Died In 2025: U.S. Soccer Secretary General Hank Steinbrecher Died At 77

On March 25, former U.S. Soccer Secretary General Hank Steinbrecher died from complications of degenerative…

2 days ago

Coaching Legend Pete Carroll Given Boot By Raiders After Old-School Style Failed To Achieve Results

After a disastrous 3-14 season, the Las Vegas Raiders will be looking in a new…

2 days ago