Matt Ryan is entering his 14th season, but doesn't feel as though his career is nearing an end.

Ryan wasn't sure if the Atlanta Falcons were going to use the No. 4 pick on his potential replacement last month. They used the selection on tight end Kyle Pitts, adding a weapon to the team's offense.

"In one respect you understand that if you play well for long enough, these are the conversations that are going to come up," Ryan said. "I understand that I'm not going to play forever, but I also have the mindset that I'm still playing really well and have a lot of good football in front of me."

"The most important thing for me is that it comes from the belief in the building, the people who are actually making decisions. The people who are with you day-to-day. That's where I try to keep it."

Ryan, 36, said it has been harder to block out conversations about his future as he has gotten older.

"You realize how hard it is at this age," the quarterback said. "You appreciate the success probably more now. I've never really been motivated -- you want to win, but I really hated losing more than I loved winning. It would eat at you more, and I think that only intensifies the older you get because you realize your opportunities are limited."