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The Pittsburgh Steelers are featured in Columnist IVDecember 27, 2021.
AP Photo/Brynn Anderson
Matt Ryan could be a short-term replacement for Ben Roethlisberger if he leaves Pittsburgh.
The league executive told Mike Sando that he was interested in Matt Ryan. You are in Atlanta. Do you want a decent package for Matt Ryan? He is a Pennsylvania guy. The Falcons would save money. That one is intriguing. If you are in Pittsburgh, you will probably get three to four years. I don't think Mike Tomlin is a blow-it-up, total-rebuild type.
If the Falcons trade Ryan before June 1, they can save $23.8 million on their salary cap. Ryan has thrown for 3,555 yards and 19 touchdown against 11 picks this season, which is not much better than Roethlisberger. Since Calvin Ridley left the team, he's thrown for over 300 yards only once.
In the last five games, Roethlisberger has failed to lead a touchdown drive in the first half, the first time that has happened since 1940. The team's only touchdown came late in the fourth quarter in a 36-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Roethlisberger signed a one-year deal last year that signaled a make-or-break campaign, but he has not said if he will retire at the end of the 2021 season.
The Falcons and the Steelers are not in the picture for the playoffs.
