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Report: Pittsburgh Steelers make definitive decision on Ben Roethlisberger replacement

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby: Jonathan Wagner01/09/22j_wags74
Matt Ryan
Thearon W. Henderson via Getty Images

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to retire following the conclusion of this season. With a giant hole needing to be filled in Pittsburgh, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has been thrown around as a possible replacement for Roethlisberger. But that does not appear to be likely.

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has expressed strong support for Ryan next season.

“Anyone trying to move Matt Ryan to Pittsburgh as Ben Roethlisberger’s successor can put that speculation to rest,” Mortensen tweeted on Sunday. “Falcons coach Arthur Smith wanted Ryan to return when he took the job & he has made it clear to owner Arthur Blank and GM Terry Fontenot that Ryan is his QB for 2022.”

Ryan has had a down season based on his standards, as he has thrown for 3,752 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He has thrown for at least 4,000 yards in each of the last ten seasons.

Ryan has two years remaining on his current contract with the Falcons

While Smith has expressed his support for the Falcons sticking with Ryan as Atlanta’s quarterback next season, the team might not have been in a position to make a move in the first place. Ryan has two years left on his current contract. In 2022, Ryan has a base salary of $16.25 million with a cap hit of more than $48 million. In 2023, Ryan has a base salary of $20.5 million and a cap hit of over $43 million.

With such a lofty number going up against the cap, moving Ryan would have been tough for the Falcons. Even if the Steelers decided they wanted to trade for Ryan to replace Roethlisberger, it would have taken some work to make it work under the cap.

Ryan was selected third overall in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Falcons. In his 14-year NFL career, Ryan has thrown for 59,519 yards, 366 touchdowns and 169 interceptions. He has also rushed for 1,467 yards with 12 touchdowns.

Ryan won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2008, leading the Falcons to a wild card berth. Over the course of ihis career, Atlanta has made the playoffs six times. In 2016, Ryan was named the NFL’s MVP after he led the Falcons to the Super Bowl, where Atlanta lost to the New England Patriots.