The Atlanta Falcons are re-signing kicker Matt Bryant to a one-year deal after cutting him in February.
"I'm ready to go for a ring," Bryant told ESPN.
He also tweeted about his return to Atlanta:
Looking forward to another year! pic.twitter.com/bIJJyGmgP1
— matt bryant (@Matt_Bryant3) August 31, 2019
Bryant, 44, worked out for the team Friday and said the workout, which lasted more than an hour, "went well.''
The Falcons, who had released Bryant in favor of Giorgio Tavecchio, revisited the kicking situation after Tavecchio missed four field goals through their first four preseason games. Tavecchio missed another in the preseason finale at Jacksonville on Thursday night. The team also signed veteran Blair Walsh for the final preseason game, but Walsh missed at least four field goals in practice and had one blocked at Jacksonville.
Multiple sources indicated owner Arthur Blank made a trip to Jacksonville specifically to check out the kickers before Bryant's workout Friday, but the team said that information was not accurate.
Bryant's return before Week 1 means his salary will be fully guaranteed since he is a veteran with at least four years service. On the one-year deal, Bryant is due a base salary of at least $1.03 million.
Bryant, who dealt with a hamstring injury last season, still made 20 of 21 field goals, including a 57-yarder. He converted 33 of 35 extra point attempts.
Despite being released in February while initially being due to make $3.5 million in 2019, Bryant had no doubts about playing somewhere this season.
"I'm a competitor, and the fire still burns,'' Bryant said.
The Falcons open the season at Minnesota next Sunday.
