Getty Images
The Falcons bought time to give Deshawn Watson more time to make a decision.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that “The Falcons have now carried over a $7.5 million roster bonus due Friday” to quarterback Matt Ryan.
It’s an odd way to describe the development, given that Ryan had to go along with it. This is an important moment that shows that Ryan is collaborating with a team that is actively trying to get away from him.
Lineup bonus is now due on Tuesday. This means he must be removed from the lineup by 4pm ET on Monday to avoid a payout.
The Falcons and Ryan reportedly agreed to a contract restructuring last Friday. However, the deal never took place. That makes the marginal fee for the Ryan trade through June 1 about $15 million lower than it would have been had the deal been restructured.
Ryan’s willingness to play ball with the Falcons suggests that the Falcons don’t mind keeping Ryan, and Ryan doesn’t mind staying if the Falcons don’t get Watson. Or maybe Ryan secured a winking promise from the Falcons that if they didn’t get Watson, they would trade Ryan anyway.
Ryan never showed any desire to leave the Falcons. Since the Falcons suddenly wanted to leave him, he may have changed his mind. Maybe he would like to play for, say, the Colts. Or maybe there is some other team with which he would like to end his career.
Regardless, the question at this point is whether Watson will pick the Falcons and whether the Falcons will sell Ryan. This makes the weekend very interesting.