FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons' mainstay has officially hung up his cleats.
Quarterback Matt Ryan officially announced his retirement from the NFL in Atlanta on Monday, signing a one-day contract to retire as a Falcon. His professional career lasted from 2008 to 2022, spending all but one season with the organization that first gave him a chance when he was 22 years old. He is now 38 years old.
“It was a hell of a ride,” Ryan said. “I'm excited to see what happens next and the next chapter of our lives begins and where it takes us. But I'm excited for today because this Because in your profession, you can never control where you start, and I just couldn't do that.'' Starting here in Atlanta lasted 14 years, and now I'm lucky to be able to call it quits and retire today as a Falcon. ”
Ryan was drafted third overall in 2008 out of Boston College and immediately began his career as a QB1. During his rookie season, Ryan started all 16 games and went 11-5, completing 61.1 percent of his passes for 3,440 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Ryan helped the Falcons qualify for the playoffs that year, but they fell short to the Arizona Cardinals in the wild card round.
Fast forward to 2021, and Ryan started all 17 games in what ended up being his final season in a Falcons jersey. He completed 67% of his passes for 3,968 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Falcons finished the schedule with a record of 7 wins and 10 losses, a record they haven't broken since.
In total, Ryan started 222 of the Falcons' 225 regular season games. He compiled a winning record of 120-102 during his 14 years in Atlanta and made the playoffs six times. He played in the Super Bowl in the 2016 season, but the Falcons lost to the New England Patriots.
“It hurts,” Ryan said. “I think that's one of those things that's always going to be a part of you, right? It's tough not achieving what you ultimately set out to do, but that's life. Your life goes that way. I remember Winston Churchill's words: “Success is not final and failure is not fatal.”
He instead did that by setting passing records for every major franchise.
Ryan is the Falcons' all-time passing leader with 5,242 completions on 8,003 attempts for 59,735 yards, 367 touchdowns and 170 interceptions. He has the highest average with 269.1 passing yards per game. He had the highest pass completion rate (65.5%) of any player who appeared in at least 10 games. He threw his longest pass of 93 yards in 2019, which was also the league's best that year.
That success earned Ryan multiple national honors. He was named the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2008. Then, in 2016, he earned first-team All-Pro recognition from the AP, the Offensive Player of the Year award, and the title of MVP. He appeared in the Pro Bowl four times (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016).
“As I went back and read these notes and prepared for today, I was truly struck by what Matt has accomplished in the 14 years he has been blessed with as the franchise's quarterback and leader,” Falcons team owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. I was surprised,” he said. .
“…he is an extraordinary football player, but perhaps even more extraordinary as a human being, as a husband, as a father, and as a great friend. He was a dearest friend to me and to my entire family during that time. That's what they think.'' Matt is like one of our players, he's definitely one of our players. It's an honor to be here today representing our team as Matt finishes his career as an Atlanta Falcon. ”
Ryan worked under three full-time head coaches during his time with the Falcons: Mike Smith (2008-14), Dan Quinn (2015-20) and Arthur Smith (2021). Current head coach Raheem Morris served as Ryan's interim head coach for 11 games in 2020 after Quinn was released after the first five games.
On March 21, 2022, the Falcons traded Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
This year was Ryan's last season. Ryan started 12 games for the Colts, going 4-7-1 with a 67% passing completion rate, 461 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He missed two games in Weeks 8 and 9 due to a shoulder injury and was replaced by Sam Ehlinger. Ryan then replaced Nick Foles in Week 16 and played the remainder of the season. The Colts finished with 4 wins, 12 losses, and 1 draw.
“I think I expected a different result, but I'm grateful for the opportunity,” Ryan said. “In this league, we don't take any chance to go out and play a game lightly. So thank you to everyone in Indianapolis.”
On May 15, 2023, CBS Sports announced that Ryan would join the network as an NFL analyst for select games and programming next season. When Ryan shared the news on Instagram, he made sure to add, “PS: This is not a retirement post.”
“When I was a kid, I wanted nothing more than to play professional sports,” Ryan said. “(The Falcons) gave me that opportunity in April 2008. I know being drafted is not an easy decision. There are a lot of options and a lot of paths to take. For me, it felt like a responsibility every single day.'' Make sure you guys are right, and I tried to be the best I could be during my 14 seasons here.
“Thank you for your confidence back then. Thank you for your confidence over the last 14 years. And thank you for our continued friendship. I will continue to lead Atlanta and the Falcons.”
