FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons have signed kicker Matt Bryant to a three-year contract extension on Wednesday.
The new deal will keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent on March 10.
Negotiations went pretty smooth. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff the deal was close last Thursday at the scouting combine.
The Falcons are not overly concerned about Bryant’s age. He’s set to turn 40 in May.
“Matt has some age in his leg, but again, Matt is one of those guys who takes care of his body,” Dimitroff said. “He’s fine-tuned as far as his flexibility and his hydration, because that’s another part of it. I’m not concerned about it as far as what we are looking to do. I think he’s still got years left in him.”
Bryant has been with the Falcons since 2009. He’s made 148 of 167 field goals attempts (88.6 percent), including 18 of 24 from 50 yards are longer. He has become the second-leading scorer in franchise history, with 666 points. He's 140 points shy of Morten Andersen’s club record of 806 points.
“I think Matt is a heck of a football player and kicker," Dimitroff said. "He’s done some really good things for us.”
The team also re-signed defensive end Cliff Matthews, fullback Pat DiMarco on Tuesday in addition to street free agent wide receiver Nick Williams.
Dimitroff said the team has also had discussions with the agents who represent linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, defensive tackle Cory Peters and wide receiver Eric Weems.
Also, tight end Bear Pascoe will not return to the team, according to his agent.
FALCONS STORIES
Falcons to focus on adding another cornerstone
Quinn-Dimitroff partnership off to a strong start
Q&A with Falcons head coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Falcons coach Dan Quinn fired up to watch pass-rushers
Q&A with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff on moving forward
Falcons to keep character filter on draft picks
Falcons close to re-signing kicker Matt Bryant
Falcons LT Jake Matthews recovering from offseason surgery
Falcons plan to extend WR Julio Jones contract
Falcons could target Denver TE Julius Thomas in free agency
Falcons' roster gutting could have big names (i.e. Steven Jackson)
Cutting the Falcons roster -- Should they stay or should they go?
COMBINE STORIES
Todd Gurley speaks about autograph-signing caper
Bucs appear set to cast future with Jameis Winston
Todd Gurley intriguing prospect to NFL teams
Chris Conley puts on a dazzling show at the combine
Waller, Smelter out to prove NFL standing at the combine
VIDEO DEPARTMENT
Watch: D. Led -- Falcons news at the combine
Watch: NFL Network's Mike Mayock at the combine
Watch: Todd Gurley has interviews set up with 24 NFL teams
Watch: Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff at the combine
Watch: Falcons coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Watch: Rams GM Les Snead on the pass-rush talent at the combine
FALCONS COMBINE MEETINGS
Oregon DE Arik Armstead talked scheme with the Falcons
Falcons met with Alabama quarterback Blake Sims
Falcons to meet with Florida DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Falcons met with Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson
Falcons met with Alabama safety Landon Collins
PHOTO GALLERIES
Photographs from the 2015 NFL scouting combine
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