Falcons Ex Matt Ryan to Raiders After Jimmy Garoppolo Injuries?

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could be cut if his foot injury doesn't heal. Would they be interested in signing former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to replace him?

Jeremy Brener | May 28, 2023

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Atlanta Falcons

There soon may be an opening for a starting quarterback job with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jimmy Garoppolo, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders back in March, was revealed to have a clause in his contract that could void him of all of his three-year, $67.5 million contract.

According to sources, Garoppolo underwent surgery for his foot and has yet to pass a physical with the Raiders. Las Vegas included a clause in his contract called "Addendum G," which could affect Garoppolo's future with the franchise.

"The contract preserves the team’s ability to terminate the agreement with no further obligation, “for any reason related to the Waiver and Release attached as Addendum G," Pro Football Talk writes.

Should Garoppolo be cut, the Raiders may look for a replacement. The team has longtime backup Brian Hoyer and fourth-round rookie Aidan O'Connell on the roster, and neither provide a stable solution at the quarterback position at this time. Perhaps the Raiders would want someone with experience, like former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

Ryan, 38, was traded last year by the Falcons to the Indianapolis Colts after 14 seasons as the franchise quarterback in Atlanta. Ryan went into the 2022 season as the Colts' starter, but he managed to win just four games in 12 starts and was benched midseason. The Colts cut Ryan earlier in the offseason and he remains a free agent.

Ryan is joining CBS Sports as an analyst, but he isn't ruling out a return to the NFL.

"All the stars would have to [align]," Ryan said. "I've just learned, at least during my experience in the 15 years I've played, to just not shut any doors. That's really the decision behind that."

Ryan may not be the best option for the Raiders, but as someone in the top-10 for passing yards all-time, he could be a strong mentor and bridge for the rookie O'Connell or whoever is next through the door for Las Vegas.

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Published May 28, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.