Falcons GM explains process behind Matt Ryan trade

Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot explained the considerations that were in play with the Matt Ryan trade. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons GM Terry Fontenot: Doing right by Matt Ryan in trade was more important than compensation

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/23/22

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.

#Falcons GM Terry Fontenot on getting a third-round pick for Matt Ryan: "It was more important for us to do right by Matt than to try to maximize compensation. Yes, we probably could have opened it up and talked to every team and ... gotten more compensation."
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 23, 2022

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.

Did you think you were getting Deshaun Watson?

Fontenot: "There was a never a time that we felt that we were going to have that player here.

Were the Falcons give a chance to match the Browns contract?

“No. But we’re not going to get into the details of that part of it."
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) March 23, 2022

If Deshaun Watson had picked the Falcons, would have you made the trade? How would you have fit him under the cap?

Arthur Smith: “Youre talking about hypotheticals here.”

Terry Fontenot: “There were a lot of layers” to the trade talks.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) March 23, 2022

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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