Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank sees that, as it stands, quarterback Matt Ryan will be under center for the team in the 2022 campaign.

Blank recently took some time to speak to the NFL Network, where he noted that he believes the Falcons can still be a contender with Ryan as their starting quarterback.

“Matt [Ryan] wants to play longer,” Blank said. “He's in great shape, probably the best physical shape he's ever been in. He's bigger, stronger than he was in the draft in 2008. He's had another really good year. … We still think we can win with him at a high level.

“Having said that, there'll be a point of transition. That's something coach [Arthur] Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot.”

Ryan’s future with the Falcons has much been in question over the past months. During the regular season, he was linked with the Pittsburgh Steelers, although ESPN’s Chris Mortensen later noted that such a move will not be transpiring.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith did allude following the team's regular season finale against the New Orleans Saints that he much expects Ryan to return for the 2022 campaign.

In the big picture, Blank is not yet providing for a final declaration that Ryan will be the team’s starting quarterback by Week 1 of the 2022 regular season, as the front office is at the least open to hearing any trade offers for the veteran passer.

“It's up to Terry and coach Smith to pick up the phone when anybody calls,” Blank said. “Our job is to listen. … We are not making phone calls.”

Overall, Ryan has two more seasons remaining on his current contract deal with the team, which includes holding a $48.6 million cap hit for next season. He is just coming off of a season where he recorded 20 passing touchdowns and a 90.4 passer rating in 17 games played.

As Blank touched on, the Falcons will one day have to undergo a transitional period at the quarterback position, although it may not come in the upcoming offseason.