Here we go — the Atlanta Falcons are now on the clock.
Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions finally hammered out a deal that paid the 25-year-old quarterback quite handsomely and Matt Ryan is the next star quarterback to get a ridiculous paycheck coming his way. Ryan may be three years older than Stafford, yet the former-Boston College Eagles standout should get more than Stafford did on Tuesday.
To clarify: the Lions gave Stafford a three-year extension worth $53 million.
Detroit already had its quarterback under contract for the 2013 and 2014 NFL seasons, but had a team option in 2015. This new and improved deal puts Stafford in a Lions uniform from now until 2017 when he will be 29 years old.
The number that is causing Ryan to smile uncontrollably is the $41.5 million of guaranteed money that the Lions handed over to an unproven Stafford. Rather than focus solely on the Stafford deal, Ryan’s career compares better with Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens. Flacco was granted a massive contract after leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII victory which included $52 million guaranteed over six years.
Much like Baltimore was last offseason, Atlanta is now in a tight spot considering Ryan’s contract is up after the 2013 campaign, which is similar to the way Flacco’s old deal was up after 2012. No way the Falcons allow the face of their franchise to enter the 2013 season without a contract, so stay tuned to see when the Brink’s truck arrives at No. 2′s house.
Devin O’Barr is the Content Commentator for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DevinOBarrRS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
