Falcons GM says Rodgers told him to finish Ryan deal 'so I can get on with my life'

The long-held belief has been that Aaron Rodgers and his agent would wait to see what Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan commanded for an extension before signing a new deal of his own with the Green Bay Packers.

That belief was confirmed this week by Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff on Andrew Brandt's "The Business of Sports" podcast.

"I saw Aaron, interestingly enough, at the Super Bowl in the airport," Dimitroff said. "He just said to me, 'We don't know each other that well, but just get this deal done with Matt first so I can get on with my life.'"

The Falcons signed Ryan to a record five-year, $150-million contract with $100 million guaranteed on May 3.

Rodgers is expected to be the next in line to be the league's highest-paid player. On the day Ryan signed his extension, new Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said he anticipates both sides will "come to an agreement soon."