New England Patriots Eyeing Matt Ryan as Potential Backup Quarterback (2024)

By Jason Bolton August 16, 2024 10:01

Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the New England Patriots are still a hotbed for talk and rumor regarding their quarterback spot. After a disastrous 2023 season in which the Patriots went just (4-13), they are trying to address their quarterback room. Veteran Matt Ryan gives the team a boost to depth experience behind current starter Jacoby Brissett's roster.

The New England Patriots Quarterback Situation

The Patriots' QB situation has been anything but rosy in recent years. The team has been unable to solve the quarterback riddle since allowing former franchise QB Tom Brady to part ways in 2020. Fortunately, the Patriots launched Mac Jones in 2023 and then started Bailey Zappe. Both were tied with a Pro Football Focus grade of 52.2 and ranked as two of the worst quarterbacks to qualify.

While the backup is obviously still an area of concern, and competition at right guard could use to be a little more intense, that's where you bring Matt Ryan into the picture.

Detailed Profile of Matt Ryan

One major player the Falcons traded mid-season was former MVP quarterback Matt Ryan, who turned their career in ATLANTA into something no other NFL has ever had. The overall third pick of 2008, Ryan was elevated from the start as a high-caliber quarterback who led Atlanta to several playoff berths and an appearance in Super Bowl LII. From his career on, Ryan featured remarkably impressive numbers, which include:

• Passing Yards: Over 60,000
• Touchdowns: 367
• Around 65% of Academic Performance Stream
• Quarterback Rating: 94.4

Strengths

• Experience: Ryan has been through several high-pressure battles in his career.That could make him appealing to a team looking to get revenge, experience-wise.
• Football IQ: Ryan is easily one of the smartest quarterbacks in reading through defenses and making snap decisions, which will inevitably rub off on a young quarterback like Maye.
• Arm Strength: Not the fleetest of feet, Ryan has a strong arm and can still make all the throws.

Weaknesses

• Mobility: The league is blessed with a canny crop of dual-threat quarterbacks, and Ryan doesn't have the same trait.
• Current Performance: Over the past couple of seasons, Ryan's play has dropped significantly. It hit a low point in 2021 when Indianapolis benched him in the middle of what was already an inconsistent, turnover-prone season.

Why the PatriotsMight Pursue Matt Ryan

There are a few reasons why the Patriots stand out as an ideal landing spot for Ryan if he decides to join another team.

Offensive Fit: Under OC Alex Van Pelt, the Patriots will likely run a system that emphasizes quick decisions and accuracy, two traits in which Ryan is proficient.

Quality Backup Option: As a backup with Brissett as the starter, Carolina has to have some depth at that position; Ryan could be ready if called upon as an experienced quarterback.

Possible Contract Details and Effects on Roster

So, if the Patriots go down a path toward acquiring Ryan, striking different financial terms would have been critical. Considering Ryan is a well-tenured veteran who was previously making $10 million per year, the Patriots would probably be looking to strike a deal more in line with his current market value based on those cap room limitations.

Probable Salary: Anywhere from $5m to $10m in one year, depending on his performance incentives and guarantee.

Roster Impact: It is hard to see a scenario in which Ryan comes, but the Patriots keep all three quarterbacks. They are days from leading with Brissett and Ryan as backups, which would likely push Maye into second-string competition development.

How It Affects the Entire Patriots Roster and Team Dynamic

The Pats have a good thing going at present, but adding Ryan to their roster might not only shake things up but could drastically alter what they can do on both sides of the ball and how successful that makes them in 2021.

More Competition: Of course, Having Ryan in the quarterback room would allow Brissett and Maye to push their levels with one another.

Mentor: Ryan would mentor the younger quarterbacks, helping them navigate the NFL playbook.

Offense Boost: Assuming that another year is still important for Brissett, we could see a better lead from the Patriots' offense. The team stood out as truly newsworthy by barely scraping into record-low NFL numbers last season.

When the New England Patriots reportedly showed interest in former MVP Matt Ryan as a potential backup, it helped to shore up their quarterback position and boost their chances for success next season. Not many people want to hear this, but Ryan's experience and leadership qualities are integral if New England wants any shot at rebuilding over the next few years in a challenging AFC landscape.

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