FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Sometimes, NFL divorces can take years. Not this one. Not close. It happened, seemingly, in an instant. And, whether drawn out or instantaneous, they are rarely ever pretty or fair.
For quarterback Matt Ryan, how the Atlanta Falcons handled things over the last month wasn't either. What could have been an honorable sendoff turned into one full of speculation and waiting.
The Falcons, for a week, courted now Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. In chasing Watson, Atlanta made clear the succession plan owner Arthur Blank said the team had been investigating for years was potentially getting sped up.