matt ryan
ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio (center) interviews Tom Brady (left) of the New England Patriots and Matt Ryan (right) of the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 Opening Night at Minute Maid Park, Jan. 30, 2017, in Houston. Bob Levey/Getty Images

It's the favorite argument, and sarcastic joke, among diehard NFL fans online. There's constant bickering about if such-and-such quarterback is "elite," a fleeting, nebulous term.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is the latest subject of the "elite" debate this week in the lead up to the team's matchup against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51 Sunday. During media availability, Ryan's teammate, superstar wide receiver Julio Jones, was asked if his quarterback needed to win his first Super Bowl title to be considered "elite."

"No. In my eyes, he does not," Jones said. "In other peoples' yes, yes, maybe. But to me, he's always been elite."

There is, of course, no standard way to measure if a quarterback is "elite," but it has typically been a term reserved for the likes of the Patriots' Tom Brady and Green Bay Packer Aaron Rodgers. Many other quarterbacks are constantly the subject of "elite" debates, something that's effectively mocked by PFT Commenter, a popular satirical character at Barstool Sports, previously of SB Nation. He's raised signs about the elite-ness Baltimore Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco at political debates, collected an oral history of the debate and inspired an honest-to-goodness poll on the subject.

Ryan, long a very good quarterback, has had a stellar season and will likely be awarded the NFL MVP award this week ahead of the Super Bowl. This, of course, has sparked the "elite" debate. Fox Sports wrote that his "near-perfect postseason has cemented his place as an elite NFL quarterback." Referencing the quarterback's nickname, Sporting News wrote "Move over Matty Ice. Make room for Matt Elite." Former Ryan teammate, legendary tight end Tony Gonzalez, said the quarterback had now reached elite status after stating otherwise a few years back.

The consensus among NFL observers seemed to be Ryan has reached new heights, but that could change should the Falcons lose Sunday in the big game. Being elite can be a fleeting thing.

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