The Atlanta Falcons again rewarded one of their own Wednesday after signing running back Devonta Freeman, a former fourth-round draft pick, to a five-year, $41.25 million extension through 2022.
Freeman's extension follows lucrative deals given to teammates Desmond Trufant (five years, $68.75 million in April), Robert Alford (four years, $38 million last December) and Ryan Schraeder (five years, $31.5 million last November). All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones got his five-year, $71.25 million extension right before the start of the 2015 season.
The Falcons typically hand out extensions as players head into the final years of their deals, and there are several players currently in the last year of their deals whom the Falcons will need to consider keeping around for the long term, provided they perform well this season.
But the one to keep an eye on is the league MVP.
Quarterback Matt Ryan has two years and $35 million left on his deal, so he's not consumed with contract talks right now. He said no such discussions have been initiated yet. But Ryan knows the topic will come up throughout this season -- and particularly after the season -- as he approaches 2018 and the final year of his deal.
"I'm never worried too much about that," Ryan recently told ESPN regarding his contract situation. "I've always tried to let the business people handle the business, and for me, just try and take care of what I can control -- and that's playing good and preparing the right way. And I've always felt like if you do that, the business side of it will take care of itself."
From Ryan's perspective, there seems to be no reason to rush matters. He can wait to see how things unfold with other top quarterbacks, like good friend Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions.
Oakland's Derek Carr already secured a five-year, $124.849 million deal that included $70.2 million guaranteed, making him the NFL's richest player (in terms of average per year).
Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Ryan will be "compensated well" coming off his MVP performance. As long as Ryan maintains a high level of play, he'll have an argument to be rewarded as the league's highest-paid player.
There is, of course, a salary cap, so the Falcons can't just give lucrative contracts to everyone. Another player to watch going into his final year in 2018 is running back Tevin Coleman. Although his tag-team partner Freeman is the starter and currently leads all running backs with an average of $8.25 million per year, Coleman is also a dynamic player and a big-play threat.
Coleman's agent, Adisa Bakari, also represents Le'Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who is destined to be the league's highest-paid running back. And you can bet Bakari will fight hard for Coleman to be paid like a top back if Coleman continues to produce touchdowns and avoids injuries.
Some of the other Falcons players going into the final year of their contracts in 2018 include left tackle and 2014 sixth-overall draft pick Jake Matthews, ascending nose tackle Grady Jarrett and wide receiver Justin Hardy. The Falcons exercised Matthews' fifth-year option that will pay him $12.494 million in the final year, but he still needs to take his game to another level before that next contract comes.
Pass-rusher Vic Beasley Jr., the No. 8 overall pick in 2015, will certainly have his fifth-year option picked up through 2019.
Falcons players currently in the last year of their contracts with a chance to earn new deals or an extension include defensive tackle Dontari Poe, wide receiver Taylor Gabriel and kicker Matt Bryant. Poe signed a one-year, $8 million "prove it" deal, while Gabriel, as a restricted free agent, got a second-round tender and will make $2.746 million this season. Bryant, 42, is in his 16th season and is due to make $2.75 million this season. The Falcons appear to be grooming Mike Meyer as their kicker of the future.
The Falcons typically avoid using the franchise tag. Cornerback Brent Grimes, now with Tampa Bay, was franchised by the Falcons in 2012.
