Matt Ryan: Changes in Falcons organization keep it fresh for me

The changes that the Atlanta Falcons made over the last year, including firing head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff, could have made a veteran player like Matt Ryan consider moving on from the franchise. 

New head coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot even considered selecting a quarterback in this year's draft to replace Ryan.

Despite the uncertainty, the Boston College product told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer that the changes the Falcons have made didn't lead him to question his future with the team because "most players are dealing with this every year."

"There's a natural level of excitement that comes from it being different," Ryan said. "And I love Dan and I love Thomas, have so much respect for those guys, and I learned a ton from them. And I think that's going to serve me better moving forward with a new staff. But there is excitement. It's a little different. There's a different energy, a level of wanting to prove yourself, show what you can do, all of that stuff is there. I think it makes it exciting, keeps it fresh for a guy in Year 14 and certainly provides plenty of motivation and gives you the energy to get out of bed and get moving."

Changes have benefited Ryan in the past, but if he doesn't succeed under Smith, his future with the Falcons could get cloudy. Ryan has been pretty consistent throughout his career, but the Falcons have had three consecutive losing seasons with him under center. 

The 36-year-old has a potential out after the 2021 campaign, but won't officially become a free agent until 2024.