Matt Ryan seeking to handle ‘unfinished business’ in new role as Falcons president of football
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Matt Ryan said he is motivated to take care of unfinished business in his new role as the Atlanta Falcons president of football.
Ryan was named the 2016 NFL MVP after leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl in the highlight of his 14 years as the team’s starting quarterback. Even so, the Falcons never won the championship and now Ryan has a new opportunity to help the team win its first title.
Ryan’s first priority is leading the search for a new coach and general manager.
“To the Falcons fans, my mission since I was drafted has never changed,” Ryan said Tuesday in his first news conference since being named president of football on Saturday. “It is to help this organization do everything it can to be champions and to win championships.
“And there is a sense of unfinished business.”
The Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after an 8-9 finish. Falcons owner Arthur Blank also made front office changes, including the creation of the president of football position.
Ryan takes over the leadership of football operations from Greg Beadles, who remains president and CEO. The new coach and general manager will report to Ryan, who Blank said Tuesday is in charge of “everything between football and grass.”
“We feel he’s a perfect choice,” said Blank of Ryan, adding he spoke with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell “and made him aware we were chatting with Matt. And his response was that, you know, you’re not going to find anybody better, smarter, more committed, a better human being, a better leader for the NFL and for your franchise.”
While Ryan is charged with setting the course for the team, he emphasized he won’t interfere with the traditional decisions handled by the coach and general manager.
When asked when he first considered seeking a front-office position with an NFL team, Ryan said “I didn’t” during his three years an an NFL analyst for CBS.
“I was really happy with what I was doing at that time with CBS and excited about that opportunity,” Ryan said. “And I want to make it clear. This is the only place I would do it, and I feel really connected to this organization and have my entire life or adult life.”
