Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews gets 5-year extension

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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) The Atlanta Falcons agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract extension with left tackle Jake Matthews on Friday.

The 26-year-old Matthews was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 draft. He has started in each of his 63 games while serving the key role of protecting quarterback Matt Ryan.

''I love playing here and love the city and I'm blessed and humbled,'' Matthews said.

The deal is through the 2023 season and comes one day after the team agreed on a contract ''adjustment'' with wide receiver Julio Jones. The Falcons already agreed to a five-year, $150 million extension with quarterback Matt Ryan this offseason.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff says the agreement with Jones enabled the team to continue efforts to reach new deals with Matthews, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and safety Ricardo Allen. The Falcons promised to renegotiate Jones' deal following the season.

Coach Dan Quinn said he was ''really pumped'' to have Matthews as a key starter on the offensive line for an additional five years.

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