ATL Standard

Atlanta Falcons top brass are looking to welcome back free-agent quarterback Matt Ryan with open arms. 

Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Ryan "feels good about where he's at" during this stage of his NFL career, coming closer than before to acknowledging the player could be the team's quarterback for the 2022 season, a recent release on the Falcon's website said.

"We anticipate Matt being part of the team, but you don't ever back yourself into a corner," Smith said in the release. "If someone gives you an offer you can't refuse—Matt knows how we feel about him. Matt has a lot of good football left in him."

Falcons have been effusive in their praise of the 36-year-old veteran quarterback, appreciating him for the work he has done for the team, the release said.

General Manager Terry Fontenot raved about Ryan's professionalism and how he still shows up for work every day after all this time, and Falcons owner Arthur Blank acknowledged that the team has a succession plan for Ryan, the release said.

There will be formal interviews with several quarterbacks this week, and the team will add to the position at the appropriate time, Fontenot said in the release.