In the 1990s, the Chicago Bulls pre-determined to break up their dynasty team going into the 1997-98 season.
Coach Phil Jackson named the season “The Last Dance,” and last spring a 10-episode series aired of the season with the approval of legendary basketball player Michael Jordan.
Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, the best players at their positions in Falcons franchise history, are in the final years of their contracts, and football business analyst Joel Corry, a former agent, believes that they are heading into their final season with the team.
“Most likely, those two guys are playing their last year with the Falcons,” Corry told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday. “They are probably getting traded next year.”
Corry dropped that bombshell while being interviewed about the Falcons’ salary-cap situation.
The team is $20.2 million over the cap with the NFL’s new business year looming March 17.
Ryan, 35, is under contract through 2023 and has stated his desire to remain in Atlanta and play into his 40s.
Ryan, who was drafted third in the 2008 draft, is the franchise’s all-time passing leader and the second quarterback to take the team to a Super Bowl. He’s the only player in franchise history to win the NFL’s most valuable player award.
Ryan has completed 4,867 of 7,442 attempts (65%) for 55,767 yards, 347 touchdowns, 158 interceptions and has a career passer rating of 94.5.
Jones, who in 2011 was selected sixth overall after the Falcons sent five picks to Cleveland in a draft-day deal, has caught 848 passes for 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns.
Jones, who turned 32 on Feb. 8, played in just seven full games last season. His contract runs through the 2023 season.
Falcons’ 2021 draft position: Here are the pick’s in D. Led’s Mock Draft 1.0: Top five picks
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson)
2. New York Jets: Ja’Marr Chase, (WR, LSU)
3. Dolphins: Penei Sewell (OT, Oregon)
4. Falcons: Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State)
5. Cincinnati Bengals: DeVonta Smith (WR, Alabama)
The Bow Tie Chronicles Podcasts:
For more content about the Atlanta Falcons
Follow me on Twitter @DorlandoAJC
On Facebook at Atlanta Falcons News Now
About the Author
