Canadian OL Matthew Bergeron signs rookie deal with Atlanta Falcons

Photo courtesy: Atlanta Falcons

Canadian offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron has signed his rookie deal with the Atlanta Falcons. The four-year deal is reportedly worth $8.97 million USD.

The native of Victoriaville, Que. was the first Canadian selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, coming off the board in the second round at 38th overall. He was the seventh offensive lineman taken in the annual pickfest.

Bergeron attended Cégep de Thetford and became the first player in that program’s history to play NCAA football when he received a scholarship offer from Syracuse University. He made five starts at right tackle as a true freshman in 2019 and flipped to the left side the next season, recording 39 consecutive starts in his four-year college career.

The six-foot-six, 316-blocker was a two-time All-ACC selection for the Orange, earning second-team status in 2022. He also received an invite to the prestigious Reese’s Senior Bowl all-star game and attended the 2023 NFL Combine, drawing rave reviews for his movement skills despite opting out of many tests.

Head coach Arthur Smith recently indicated that the team is going to move Bergeron from tackle to guard due to the nature of his build.

“Everybody has different philosophies in what they’re looking for in offensive linemen,” Smith told the team’s website. “Some people get so rigid on schemes or whatever it is, their cup of tea that they’re looking for with o-linemen. But when a guy is as smart as Matt and the way he has played, really for us (it’s) the vision of the way he is built.”