The Falcons have restructured Matt Ryan's contract, but the quarterback could be traded if they sign Deshaun Watson. | Atlanta Falcons/Facebook
The Falcons have restructured Matt Ryan's contract, but the quarterback could be traded if they sign Deshaun Watson. | Atlanta Falcons/Facebook
The Atlanta Falcons have joined three other teams across the country vying for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport posted a video on Twitter Wednesday, discussing the timeline for Watson's trade. He noted that Watson has yet to meet with the Falcons, but after meeting with all teams he will eventually waive his no-trade clause to the team or teams of his choice to work out the best deal possible.
"Deshaun Watson will meet with the #Falcons today, so let's take a look at what's next," Rapoport wrote in his tweet.
The Falcons' push for Watson comes as the team recently restructured veteran quarterback Matt Ryan's contract, reducing his salary cap hit this season by more than $12 million, a recent report by ESPN said. Though the team has remained committed to Ryan, owner Arthur Blank has had discussions about "eventually finding (Ryan's) successor and resetting the franchise's future."
Trading Ryan after June 1 would free up $8.75 million in salary-cap space, and securing Watson could lead to the quarterback's departure, the report said.
Among other teams in pursuit of Watson are the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, the report said. Though one source told ESPN the Falcons are a "long shot" to land the Texans' quarterback, an in-person meeting may give the team an opportunity to persuade him further.
Watson continues to face 22 civil lawsuits that allege sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions, though a grand jury in Texas recently declined to pursue criminal charges against him, the report said. These, alongside an offseason request to be traded, resulted in Watson sitting out all of last season.
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