Since Ryan has been here he's been Offensive ROY, 2 time pro bowler & yes he's the best QB in Falcons history. With Matt's contract coming up goin into the 2013 season, you're idea is that the Falcons should've let him walk? Negotiations are what they are but he was going to get over a $100 million contract. The other option is to use the franchise tag on him for 2 consecutive years (which actually would take up more money under the cap than the long term deal he signed)
Here's where your anti Matt Ryan bias shows. First off, this is the first full blown rebuild Matt has endured since he got drafted so saying were in rebuilding mode again shouldn't include Matt in that discussion. But for me it always goes back to one thing: If you're the GM what do you do when it's time to make a decision about Matt's contract. Because at the time (summer 2013) we had just gone to the NFCCG & Matt had just won his first playoff game. Are you going to:
A. Let him walk as a FA after the 2014 season
B. Use the franchise tag on him for 2 consecutive seasons (which would've eaten up more of the cap and STILL would've been an avg of the top 5 QB contracts at that time)
C. Pay him market value for his position
You also have to consider you're fanbase and season ticket holders and how they would react as well. You can't make these type of decisions in a one sided, fan boy vacuum