Falcons GM Terry Fontenot: Doing right by Matt Ryan in trade was more important than compensation
Though the move, in some respect, made sense on paper, it was still a shock to see career-long Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan traded to the Indianapolis Colts earlier this week . General manager Terry Fontenot attempted to ease Falcons fans' concerns in the immediate aftermath of the trade and expanded further on the deal on Wednesday morning.
Fontenot also addressed just how close Atlanta was to acquiring controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson. It appeared for much of last week that the Falcons were among two finalists — along with the New Orleans Saints — to trade for Watson.
Shortly after trading Ryan to the Colts on Monday, Atlanta signed quarterback Marcus Mariota to a two-year deal.
While Aaron Rodgers elected to stay put with the Green Bay Packers and Tom Brady un-retired to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there has been a significant shuffle of NFL quarterbacks this offseason. Among the other biggest movers aside from Mariota, Ryan and Watson have been Russell Wilson getting traded to the Denver Broncos and Carson Wentz being traded to the Washington Commanders.
Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo meanwhile, await news on what the 2022 season holds in store for them.
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