Owner Arthur Blank would ‘love to have’ receiver Calvin Ridley back with Atlanta Falcons next season

Atlanta Falcons operator Arthur Blank said the franchise would “totally” like to have receiver Calvin Ridley back with the staff upcoming period while also acknowledging the Falcons will ultimately require a succession approach for quarterback Matt Ryan.

Ridley missed 12 online games last year for Atlanta so he could emphasis on his mental well being — not touring to London with the club for its acquire from the Jets and then announcing on Halloween he was stepping away from football to perform on himself.

Ridley, who experienced his fifth-calendar year choice picked up by the club in May, has not spoken publicly given that leaving the staff. Atlanta put him on the non-football personal injury list. On Wednesday, Blank mentioned Atlanta has supported Ridley as much as it could in the course of the season and will continue to do so.

“It really is a difficult journey. It really is not exclusive in The united states,” Blank said. “It is really not exceptional on athletics groups or in local community populations. You can find a good deal of trauma currently. And so I assume he’s committed to resolving his concerns and receiving them driving him. Will not suggest they are always out of his head but they are behind him and he’ll be able to perform totally, not only on the area but off the industry as effectively. So in which that’ll acquire him, I never know.

“I know we’ve accomplished everything we possibly could do to be there for him and we’ll see how that unfolds in terms of him with our group or the future with us or somebody else in the NFL.”

Falcons mentor Arthur Smith constantly declined to reply inquiries about Ridley throughout the period, saying as soon as there was an update, he would give a single. At the Senior Bowl previous week, Falcons general supervisor Terry Fontenot said there was no update on Ridley, either.

Blank said Ridley, who had 31 catches for 281 yards very last year, is a “good participant” and praised his operate as a teammate and in observe. Blank indicated the group understands Ridley’s present problem and will continue to help him.

He did not know, however, regardless of whether or not Ridley would return in 2022.

“I will convey to you what I know. What I know is that we would like to have the young guy back again to enjoy for us,” Blank stated. “But, you know, where by that sits with him, I will not know. We haven’t talked to him immediately, and at some issue, with absolutely free company coming up upon us and draft soon after that, we have to have a clearer knowing about that and I think he and his brokers absolutely recognize that as effectively.”

Even though Blank also praised the play of quarterback Matt Ryan, he did want to make clear that he understands the group does have to have to have a plan for a future beyond Ryan. This earlier period, Atlanta experienced a few backup quarterbacks — A.J. McCarron, who was wounded in the preseason, Josh Rosen and Feleipe Franks.

Blank stated many instances how typically Ryan was strike the past number of seasons — he has been sacked 40 or far more situations every single of the past 4 a long time — and marveled at Ryan’s capability to keep playing and getting up. Ryan, who done 67% of his passes this season for 3,968 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, has skipped only one particular sport since the start out of the 2010 period.

He also felt there was a excellent knowledge amongst Smith and Ryan and how Ryan took to Atlanta’s offense.

“But at some issue, let’s make this clear. At some level, we do want to comprehend that Father Time does get us all and at some point we have to make a obvious succession program for the next quarterback,” Blank explained. “Groups in the league that have carried out that successfully truly are in a fantastic position. The kinds that haven’t are the ones that battle for a variety of many years as they flip in and out of quarterbacks that are not truly the best solution.”

Blank stated the crew began considering about a succession strategy for Ryan right before the workforce employed Smith and Fontenot previous calendar year, but Ryan retains playing at a high stage and retains getting accessible.

Ryan, for his portion, has mentioned he would like to continue being in Atlanta. He has a cap strike of $48,662,500 for 2022. Previous month, Fontenot did not want to speculate on any contractual scenarios the Falcons could have. Even though Atlanta should really have additional cap overall flexibility than past season — when Blank stated the crew was “under siege a yr back” — there is continue to not a ton of cash to participate in with at this issue.

Ryan, who turns 37 in Could, said in January he was “optimistic” about the foreseeable future of the team and appreciated in which Atlanta was heading with Smith and the coaching staff.

“I sense superior about it. I truly do,” Ryan said. “I feel like I am in a good house and our crew is in a good area and we can increase and be improved as we transfer ahead.”

Blank, although, said Ryan understands at some point the team will have to program for a Ryan-a lot less potential. He wouldn’t say how far down the street the Falcons may be on a article-Ryan system.

“We have to be considerate about that. And Matt understands that. Matt’s a grown person. He is smart,” Blank mentioned. “He understands that he are not able to participate in forever and that we have a obligation to our admirers, to the franchise, to have a succession program for just about every position, it truly is not just quarterback.

“Just about every situation, as we imagine about it. Some of the thoughts you are asking about Calvin Ridley are honest due to the fact we have to make guaranteed we have a receiver home that is really competitive.”