Matt Ryan announces retirement, signs one-day contract with Atlanta to retire a Falcon

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — An Atlanta Falcons staple has formally hung up his cleats.

Quarterback Matt Ryan introduced his formal retirement from the NFL on Monday, doing so in Atlanta as he signed a one-day contract to retire as a Falcon. His skilled profession spanned from 2008-22, and all however one season was spent with the group that first gave him a shot at 22 years previous. He is now 38.

“It was a hell of a experience,” Ryan stated. “I am excited to see what’s subsequent, this subsequent chapter of life and see the place that takes us. However as we speak, it is thrilling for me since you by no means have management on this occupation of the place you are going to begin and I couldn’t have been luckier that it was a begin right here in Atlanta and it went for 14 years and now I can bookend it and retire as a Falcon as we speak.”

Ryan was delivered to Atlanta from Boston School in 2008 because the No. 3 general draft choose, and his run as QB1 started instantly. Throughout his rookie season, Ryan began all 16 video games, going 11-5 and finishing 61.1% of his passes for 3,a quarter mile, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Ryan helped the Falcons earn a playoff bid that 12 months, falling quick to the Arizona Cardinals within the wild-card spherical.

Quick ahead to 2021, Ryan began all 17 video games in what would in the end be his final season in a Falcons jersey. He accomplished 67% of his passes for 3,968 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Falcons closed out the schedule 7-10, a document they haven’t topped since.

In whole, Ryan began in 222 of a attainable 225 regular-season video games for the Falcons. He compiled a successful 120-102 document and made six playoff appearances in his 14 years with Atlanta. There was a Tremendous Bowl run within the 2016 season, however the Falcons misplaced to the New England Patriots.

“It hurts,” Ryan stated. “I feel that it is one of many issues that’s at all times part of you, proper? Falling wanting what you in the end got down to do is hard, however that is life. There’s so many issues in your life which might be going to go that means. You bought to select up and transfer on. I keep in mind seeing a Winston Churchill quote: ‘Success is not remaining, and failure is not deadly. What counts is the braveness to proceed on.'”

Which he did, by as an alternative setting each main franchise passing document.

Ryan is the Falcons’ all-time passing chief with a stat line of 5,242 completions in 8,003 makes an attempt for 59,735 yards, 367 touchdowns and 170 interceptions. He boasts one of the best common, with 269.1 passing yards per recreation. He accomplished probably the most passes (65.5%) out of gamers who appeared in at the least 10 video games. He has thrown the longest go – 93 yards in 2019, which doubled because the league-high mark that 12 months, too.

Due to his success, Ryan obtained a number of nationwide accolades. He was named The Related Press’ Offensive Rookie of the Yr in 2008. He later earned first-team All-Professional recognition, the Offensive Participant of the Yr award and the title of MVP, all from AP in 2016. He was additionally chosen to the Professional Bowl 4 instances (2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016).

“After I was going again and studying these notes and preparing for as we speak,” Falcons crew proprietor Arthur Clean stated, “it amazed me within the 14 years that we had been graced with Matt as our franchise quarterback and chief, actually, what he is achieved.

” … That is an distinctive soccer participant however most likely extra distinctive as a human being, as a husband, as a father and as an amazing buddy. He is been a beloved buddy to me for that time period, to my entire household. They view Matt as sort of one in all our personal, and he’s one in all our personal. He is definitely one in all Atlanta’s personal. It is an amazing honor for me to be right here as we speak to symbolize our franchise and having Matt finish his profession as an Atlanta Falcon.”

Ryan labored beneath three full-time head coaches whereas with the Falcons: Mike Smith (2008-14), Dan Quinn (2015-20) and Arthur Smith (2021). Present head coach Raheem Morris served as Ryan’s interim head coach for 11 video games in 2020 after Quinn was launched after the opening 5 video games.

The Falcons traded Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts on March 21, 2022, in change for a third-round choose within the 2022 NFL Draft.

That 12 months noticed Ryan’s remaining season of motion. In 12 begins with the Colts, Ryan went 4-7-1 and accomplished 67% of his passes for 461 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He missed two video games – Weeks 8 and 9 – because of a shoulder damage, and Sam Ehlinger stepped in. Ryan was then changed by Nick Foles in Week 16 for the rest of the season. The Colts completed 4-12-1.

“I feel we had been hoping for a distinct consequence, however I’m grateful for that chance,” Ryan stated. “You do not take it calmly on this league to have the prospect to go on the market and play. So, thanks to everybody in Indianapolis.”

On Could 15, 2023, CBS Sports activities introduced Ryan would be a part of the community as an NFL analyst for choose video games and exhibits for the upcoming season. When Ryan shared the information on Instagram, he made certain so as to add, “P.S. – this isn’t a retirement put up.”

“I needed nothing else as a child apart from to play skilled sports activities,” Ryan stated. “In April of 2008, (the Falcons) gave me that chance. I do know draft picks are by no means a straightforward determination. There’s a number of choices, there’s a number of methods you may go. So, for me, it was a duty every single day to be sure to guys had been proper and I attempted to try this one of the best that I may for the 14 seasons right here.

“Thanks for the boldness then, thanks for the boldness via these 14 years, and thanks for the friendships that proceed on. I will definitely at all times be pulling for Atlanta and the Falcons.”