NFL PLAYER NEWS

Falcons extend K Bryant’s contract

The Sports Xchange

February 25, 2015 at 6:11 pm.

 

The Falcons have re-signed Matt Bryant. (RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports)

With kicker Matt Bryant set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 10, the Atlanta Falcons signed him to a contract extension on Wednesday.

Bryant, who turns 40 in May, has proved to be one of the NFL’s most consistent kickers the past few seasons, making 144 of 167 field goal attempts (88.6 percent) since he joined the Falcons in 2009 and has become the franchise’s second leading scorer with 666 points.

Last season, Bryant was 29 of 32 on field goal tries and made an NFL-best seven kicks from 50 yards and beyond.

“Matt has some age in his leg, but again, Matt is one of those guys who takes care of his body,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “I think he’s still got years left in him.”

The Falcons also re-signed defensive end Cliff Matthews, fullback Pat DiMarco and wide receiver Nick Williams, but tight end Bear Pascoe will not return.

Dimitroff told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the team has had conversations with the agents for linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, defensive tackle Cory Peters and wide receiver Eric Weems.