Report: Falcons' Smith wants Ryan back in 2022

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith told owner Arthur Blank and general manager Terry Fontenot that he wants to keep Matt Ryan as his quarterback for the 2022 season, reports Chris Mortensen of ESPN.

Rumors circulated that Atlanta is interested in moving Ryan, who's been linked to multiple teams since the offseason. The former NFL MVP was most recently linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who expect to lose Ben Roethlisberger to retirement in 2022.

The Falcons kicked off a new era in 2021, hiring Smith and Fontenot to replace coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff, respectively. The team also traded longtime wide receiver Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans in the offseason.

Atlanta used the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft to select tight end Kyle Pitts instead of drafting a potential Ryan successor.

Ryan, 36, signed a five-year, $150-million extension with the Falcons in 2018. He completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,752 yards and 19 touchdowns against 11 interceptions through 16 appearances this season.

The 7-9 Falcons have now posted a losing record in four straight years.