Falcons give Ryan 5-year extension
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension.
Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts said Thursday that the deal was being finalized as Ryan led the offense through practice Thursday on the first day of training camp.
A person familiar with the situation says Ryan’s extension is for $103.75 million, with $59 million guaranteed. The person says Ryan will average $20.75 million during the first three years of the extension. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms of the deal had not been announced.
“I’ve always not worried about the business side of it,” Ryan said at a news conference Thursday evening. “I’ve always thought as a player if you’re worrying about those sorts of things, you’re taking away from what you’re here for.
“I think for the most part I was confident that it would get done in a timely fashion. I think both sides were. I didn’t stress about it too much.”
Ryan, 28, is entering the sixth and final season of his original rookie contract and will earn a $10 million salary.
Ryan, the NFL’s No. 3 overall draft pick of 2008, last season was invited to the Pro Bowl for the second time. He completed 68.6 percent of his passes, tops in the NFL.
Goodson starts camp on reserve list: The New York Jets have placed running back Mike Goodson on the reserve-did not report list as the players arrived for training camp.
Goodson, signed in the offseason, was arrested on drug and weapons possession charges in May along with a friend in New Jersey. The case was sent to a grand jury last month.
The Jets also made the signings of wide receiver Braylon Edwards and first-round pick Sheldon Richardson official.
Rookie Swope retires, Cards sign Winston: The Arizona Cardinals concluded their first day of training camp with a flurry of personnel moves.
The team announced that rookie wide receiver Ryan Swope was retiring because of concussion issues. The Cardinals placed the former Texas A&M star on the reserve/retired list, meaning he would be Arizona’s property if he returned to the sport. Swope, drafted by Arizona in the sixth round, set school records for receptions and yards receiving for the Aggies.
The team added two experienced players, agreeing to a one-year deal with offensive tackle Eric Winston and on a two-year contract with outside linebacker John Abraham. The Cardinals also released outside linebacker O’Brien Schofield, a former starter, and signed linebacker Kenny Rowe.
Winston, a starter in all six of his NFL seasons, signed a one-year deal after failing to find a better offer. He says he knows he has to compete but expects to win the right tackle job. Abraham is a 14-year NFL veteran and the league’s active leader with 122.
Colts cut Saunders: The Indianapolis Colts cut tight end Weslye Saunders, one week after he was suspended by the NFL for eight games for violating the performance enhancing drugs policy.
Saunders signed with the Colts last October and played in 11 games (four starts), making two receptions for 15 yards. He served a four-game suspension for violating the same policy earlier in 2012 while with the Steelers, who subsequently released him.