Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan pleased focus on football, not contract

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan wasn't so much interested in facts and figures while addressing his new blockbuster contract as he was with time.

"I think it was for both sides wanting to try and get it done, and be able to have the focus on football when we got to training camp, for sure. And so, I'm happy with the timing of it," Ryan said during a Monday press conference to address his five-year, $150 million deal with $100 million guaranteed.

"I think the organization is very happy with the timing of it, and certainly when we get back to training camp it's 100 percent about football and even this morning, it's 100 percent about football. I always felt confident that it was going to get done in a smooth way and in a timely manner, and I feel like it did."

Ryan, who turns 33 on May 17, has guided the Falcons to three NFC South division titles and six playoff appearances since being selected with the third overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. The 2016 NFL MVP and four-time Pro Bowl selection has completed 3,630 of 5,593 passes for 41,796 yards and 260 touchdowns with 126 interceptions.

Impressive numbers to be certain, but Ryan told reporters that he is looking ahead as opposed to his rear-view mirror.

"I think it's more so than anything, I think it's incentive," Ryan said. "I've always felt like your job as a player is to go earn every dollar and have that mindset that every day you wake up it's about working as hard as you possibly can. So, I guess it's more incentive for me moving forward to play my best football as I continue to mature in this league."

Ryan was entering the final year of his contract, and the Falcons could not proceed with free agency moves until the deal was completed.

As part of the deal, Ryan received a guaranteed signing bonus of $46.5 million along with guaranteed salaries of $6 million in 2018, $11.5 million in 2019, $20.5 million in 2020 and $23 million in 2021. He also receives a $10 million option bonus for 2019.

The pact extends through the 2023 season for Ryan, who will enter his 11th NFL season in 2018.

While leading the Falcons to a 10-6 regular-season record in 2017, Ryan completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 4,095 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. In two playoff games, he had a 65.2 completion rate with two touchdown passes and no interceptions.