Matt Bryant Signs Three-Year Extension with Atlanta Falcons

Despite being at the age of 42, Bryant was still a kicker who would have gained interest had he become a free agent. He is still one of the more reliable kickers in the league even with that age, much like Adam Vinatieri. His kicking abilities have not slowed down in the last couple of seasons. Compared to his younger days he has arguably gotten better as he has gotten older.

Bryant’s 2017 season was his ninth with the Falcons. During the season, he went 34-for-39 on field goals with 57 yards as his longest of the year. He also was perfect on extra points this season, one of only seven kickers to do so. He did not have any last-second game-winners this year, but he did have a go-ahead 52-yard field goal against the New Orleans Saints with under four minutes to go.

Bryant attended college at Baylor from 1997 to 1998. He went undrafted in 1999, and after a short stint with the Arena Football League was finally signed by the New York Giants in 2002. After two seasons there, he had some very brief stints as well with the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins before landing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005 to 2008. While with the Buccaneers, he kicked his career long of 62 yards in 2006.

The Buccaneers cut Bryant just before the 2009 season began. He was not signed until December of that year by the Falcons whom he has stayed with since. During that time, he has had four seasons with field goal percentages of 90% or higher. He had a career high 93.1% in 2011. Bryant also has missed only one extra point during his tenure there as well. He attended the Pro Bowl in 2016. He also holds the franchise record for most points scored.

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