The Falcons agreed to terms on contract extensions with quarterback Matt Schaub and defensive tackle Courtney Upshaw.
"The plan we laid out for this offseason begins with re-signing our own players, and we are fortunate to get deals done with Courtney and Matt this morning," said general manager Thomas Dimitroff. "Courtney proved to be versatile in our defensive scheme and he will continue to play several roles along our defensive line. We know the value of having an experienced back-up at quarterback and Ryan and Schaub work well together so it was important to keep that tandem together."
"Coupling these moves with being able to secure Robert Alford and Ryan Schraeder long-term before the end of the season has us off to a good start when it comes to executing our plan."
Schaub was signed by the Falcons last season to be a key veteran backup to Matt Ryan. Schaub spent his first three seasons in Atlanta, before being traded to the Houston Texans in the 2007 offseason where he put up impressive numbers over seven years (23,221 passing yards, 124 touchdowns, and a 90.9 passer rating). The former Virginia Cavalier was seen as somebody who could help Ryan master a new offense that Schaub had previously played in with the Texans. Schaub saw action in four games last season, and will return to his backup role in 2017.
Upshaw was signed by Atlanta during the 2016 offseason and during training camp he was converted to defensive tackle after playing outside linebacker during his time with Baltimore. Upshaw saw action in 13 games with five starts for the Falcons. His playing time increased as the season went on, as he recorded 12 of his 23 total tackles, his .5 sack, and his only forced fumble and fumble recovery in the last six games of the season, as the team went 5-1. Upshaw also recorded a sack on Patriots QB Tom Brady during Super Bowl LI. The former Alabama standout has played in 77 career games with 56 starts and has recorded 206 total tackles (124 solo), eight passes defensed, 5.5 sacks, five fumble recoveries, and four forced fumbles.
