Ryan plans to be the 'best possible teammate' if Falcons draft QB

Quarterback Matt Ryan says he'll be a supportive teammate to whomever the Atlanta Falcons draft with their No. 4 overall pick, even if they select his heir apparent.

"I think that's part of being a team ... that you're going to be a good teammate," Ryan said Wednesday on 680 The Fan's "The Front Row," according to team reporter Kelsey Conway.

"And that's exactly what I would do and help where you can. ... I think whatever happens at that spot, we're all professionals, we all understand how this goes. I'm going to be the best possible teammate the way I've always been to everyone who's come in our building."

The Falcons are reportedly expected to keep Ryan for the 2021 season. However, it's still possible they could look to draft the aging signal-caller's eventual replacement.

"You're not going to be best friends with everybody," Ryan added, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. "But part of being a good teammate is competing and pushing people to be the absolute best they can be. Your job as an individual is to be the best player you can be and find a roster spot regardless of who's drafted or where they're drafted. ... But my personality is not to be standoffish with anybody else."

Ryan is under contract for three more seasons. He carries a $40.9-million cap hit this year. The Falcons would be on the books for $49.9 million in dead money if they cut him this offseason, per Spotrac. However, Atlanta would only incur a $26.5-million dead cap hit if the team releases him next offseason and an $8.6-million hit if it cuts him in 2023.

But no matter what happens with the Falcons, the 35-year-old passer intends to keep playing for as long as he's capable.

"I just want to play as long as I'm playing well and my body feels really good," Ryan said, according to Conway.

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