In an interview with Andrew Siciliano on NFL Network, Arthur Blank said he’d be “completely shocked” if Matt Ryan weren’t in a Falcons uniform next year.
Arthur Blank tells me on @nflnetwork that he’d be “completely shocked” if Matt Ryan wasn't a Falcon next season.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) February 4, 2021
He mentioned Ryan playing at a high level since being drafted and expecting him to play at a high level continually. Probably to stop speculation among the media, Blank also iterated in the same breath that Julio Jones will also be back.
And for good measure, Blank also said that he expects “Julio [Jones] to be a Falcon next year and play at a very high level, as well."
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) February 4, 2021
It is clear the Falcons’ front office and coaching staff are on the same page that the future includes Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. This completely puts to bed any trade talks, but it doesn’t rule out that the team could still select Ryan’s successor with the fourth overall pick.
#Falcons Owner Arthur Blank said that BOTH Terry Fontenot & Arthur Smith do not think Matt Ryan and Julio Jones “are at the end of their road.” Blank also said “I think they’re definitely part of their plans” but the team also has to plan for the future. #RiseUpATL pic.twitter.com/ME1W9eFAPv
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) February 4, 2021
Clearly, they are apart of the immediate future, but how long the Falcons will hang on to these two cornerstones is yet to be determined. Their tenures in Atlanta will come down to how well the team performs this season. If the Falcons do in 2021 what the Packers — Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur’s first year — did in 2019, then expect Matty Ice and Julio to finish their contracts out in Atlanta.
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Photo: David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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