Matt

Ryan

Ryan spent 14 of his 15 years in the NFL as a player with the Falcons, winning the MVP in 2016 and making four Pro Bowls. He signed a one-day contract to retire with the organization and was inducted into the Falcons’ ring of honor in 2024. Ryan is putting his reputation on the line in taking a job many believe was created specifically for him as the Falcons’ President of Football. He’s been granted full control with final say over all football decisions, including leading the search for the team’s next head coach and general manager. Ryan will pause his broadcasting career at CBS while he takes over the Falcons.

ESPN previously reported that “many believe” the position was “created” for Ryan. It is safe to say he is the favorite to land the role. Per team owner Arthur Blank, the president of football will lead the interview process as the team searches for its new head coach and general manager. Both positions will report directly to the president of football, who reports directly to Blank. The trio “will work collaboratively as a football leadership team on all football decisions.” While the head coach and general manager “remain the primary decision-makers” in their respective roles, “final decision-making authority will rest with the president of football.”

The president of football will lead the interview process as the Falcons search for their new head coach and general manager. Once those three roles are filled, the president of football will then hold the head coach and general manager “accountable and report directly to [team owner Arthur] Blank himself.” Blank reportedly acknowledged that the head coach and general manager candidates “would not be keen on ceding authority” to the new position, “so those positions will remain the primary decision-makers in their respective roles.” The Falcons have interviewed other candidates and will continue to do so, but Blank has effusively praised Ryan throughout the process. He is seemingly the favorite to secure the gig at this time.

Per Schultz, the role would be similar to the one currently occupied by the Lions’ Chris Spielman, who serves as the special assistant to the owner and CEO. Schultz closes the report by saying, “we’ll see what happens with” Falcons CEO Rich McKay, “but ownership has been frustrated with how things have been run, and changes are happening at all levels.”

“While two sides still discussing, people close to Ryan say he’s seriously considering this move and talks are ongoing,” Glazer reports. He adds it would be a “significant role.” It’s become clear the Falcons could use a shakeup of some sort, though this would be a particularly risky one. 40-year-old Ryan has zero coaching or front-office experience. It would be a “very Falcons” gamble, but not one necessarily doomed to fail. Stay tuned.

Ryan was the third overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft and spent the first 14 years of his career with the Falcons. He and the Falcons immediately went 56-22 over his first four years in the league while making the playoffs in four of his first five seasons. In 2016, Ryan led the Falcons to an 11-5 record while clinching the NFC South along with his first and only MVP award. Unfortunately, that season also ended in a heartbreaking defeat, as the Falcons came up short on the infamous “28-3" game in Super Bowl LI. After a down 2021 season, Ryan moved on to the Colts in 2022. Looking like a shell of his former self, Ryan threw for 3057-14-13 in 12 starts for the Colts that season and wasn’t brought back in 2023 — by any team. Now ready to hang it up, Ryan retires as the Falcons’ all-time leader in passing yards (59,735) and passing touchdowns (367). He currently sits seventh on the NFL’s all-time passing yards list (62,792) and is ninth in career touchdown passes (381). Even without that lucrative championship, Ryan walks away as one of the most productive players at the quarterback position and should one day hear his name called for Canton.

Ryan just inked a deal to join CBS as an analyst this fall. He insisted that he wasn’t retiring directly in his announcement of the news, and that’s likely true for now. He even said he has learned not to “shut any doors” during his time in the league, though there is another reason for him to hold off on calling it a career. As long as he doesn’t formally retire, the Colts will remain on the hook for the $12 million they owe Ryan as a result of cutting him. Ryan tossed 14 scores and 13 interceptions in his 12 games with the Colts in 2022. As immobile as ever, he also took 38 sacks. A dismal season in Indianapolis aside, Ryan will go down as one of the most productive quarterbacks to ever play football if this is the end. He ranks ninth in career touchdown passes (381) and seventh in passing yards (62,792). Ryan also has an MVP and a Super Bowl appearance to his name.

Just days before his 38th birthday, Ryan tweeted his intent to join CBS for the upcoming season. While he insisted this was not a retirement post, it’s possible the league has already moved on from Ryan. Ryan’s lone season with the Colts couldn’t have gone much worse, as he ate 38 sacks in 12 games while throwing for 3057-14-13. Being benched twice in favor of Sam Ehlinger and/or Nick Foles only added to Ryan’s down season, but it was clear he was a far cry from the player he once was. Concerns over Ryan’s declining arm strength likely resulted in little interest on the open market after the Colts cut ties with him in mid-March. If this is indeed the end for Ryan, he would walk away ranking ninth in career touchdown passes (381) and seventh in career passing yards (62,792). His 2016 MVP season was overshadowed by a loss in Super Bowl LI after his team jumped out to a 28-3 lead, but the 14 years of stability he provided the Falcons at the quarterback position, and multiple 10+ win seasons are worthy of recognition.

The long-expected, no-brainer move saves $17.2 million against the cap. Soon to be 38, Ryan was benched twice during his lone Colts campaign and no longer appeared capable of moving at an NFL level. He was essentially a mummy in the face of the rush. It didn’t help that the Colts’ once-vaunted line began to crumble, but Ryan’s immobility only exacerbated the issue. It’s possible, if not probable, someone with better blocking will decide to bet on Ryan as an experienced No. 2 quarterback and mentor, but he has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt he can no longer credibly function as a No. 1. The Colts’ 2023 starter is not currently on the roster.

Ryan, the fourth consecutive stop-gap quarterback in Indianapolis, was benched twice and separated his throwing shoulder during the 2022 season. The Colts hold the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft but Ballard has held his cards close to his chest regarding how the team intends to use the lofty draft capital. Ballard added, “We’ll work through it with Shane... We’re just getting the staff settled. We’ll start working through things next week.” Ballard and newcomer head coach Shane Steichen have a lot to address for a franchise that has stumbled since Andrew Luck announced his retirement following the 2018 season.