ATLANTA — Matt Ryan signed a $72 million, six-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons today, ending concerns that prolonged negotiations could threaten his chance to become the starting quarterback as a rookie.

Ryan, the No. 3 overall pick in last month's draft out of Boston College, is guaranteed $34.75 million. His guaranteed money is $4.75 million more than that given to Jake Long, the No. 1 overall choice who also is represented by agent Tom Condon.

The Falcons confirmed the signing and scheduled a news conference for Tonight.

Ryan worked behind quarterbacks Chris Redman and Joey Harrington at his first minicamp with the team this month.

Ryan, 6-foot-5, ranked third in the nation with his school-record 4,507 yards passing in 2007 and was the first quarterback taken in the draft. He and general manager Thomas Dimitroff promised to avoid extended talks that could threaten Ryan's status for training camp.

New coach Mike Smith is not opposed to having a rookie start at quarterback.

"If he's the best player, whether he's a rookie quarterback or rookie offensive lineman or rookie linebacker, we want those guys to come in here and compete," Smith said this month. "We're going to put the best player out there on the field."

Ryan is important as the future leader on the field and the immediate new marketing star.

Redman, Harrington and Byron Leftwich shared the starting job last season as Michael Vick began serving a 23-month prison sentence after he confessed to bankrolling a dogfighting ring. Vick has been suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Leftwich was released after the season. Ryan will join Harrington, Redman and D.J. Shockley in the quarterback competition in training camp.

Redman, who finished the 2007 season as the starter, is the favorite to open 2008 with the job. Redman worked with the first-team offense with newly signed running back Michael Turner in minicamp.