An old face is taking on a brand-new position with Atlanta Falcons.
Widely recognized as the greatest quarterback in the history of the franchise, Matt Ryan is returning to Atlanta as the team’s president of football, the team announced Saturday morning.
“Throughout his remarkable 14-year career in Atlanta, Matt’s leadership, attention to detail, knowledge of the game and unrelenting drive to win made him the most successful player in our franchise’s history,” owner Arthur Blank said in a statement released by the team. “I am confident those same qualities will be a tremendous benefit to our organization as he steps into this new role. From his playing days to his time as an analyst at CBS, Matt has always been a student of the game, and he brings an astute understanding of today’s NFL, as well as unique knowledge of our organization and this market. I have full confidence and trust in Matt as we strive to deliver a championship caliber team for Atlanta and Falcons fans everywhere.”
Ryan, 40, has been the expected hire for the position since Blank announced it in the aftermath of the firings of head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. The Falcons did, however, interview Carolina Panthers executive vice president Brandt Tillis, Detroit Lions chief operating officer Mike Disner, 49ers director of scouting and football Josh Williams and Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham for the position.
One of those individuals could end up as the team’s future GM, though Atlanta will keep its options open, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported.
As the Falcons embark on their search for a new GM and head coach, the eventual hires will report to Ryan, who, per Blank’s statement to the fans on Jan. 4, will have “final decision-making authority.”
Ryan quarterbacked the Falcons to Super Bowl LI, winning the AP NFL MVP during that 2016 season. The following year saw Ryan lead a 10-6 Falcons squad to the playoffs. It was the last time the franchise made it to the postseason or had a winning season. In 14 seasons playing for Atlanta, Ryan racked up 59,735 passing yards and 367 passing touchdowns, each of those statistics more than twice as many as any other Falcons QB.
Ryan played his last season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 following Atlanta’s ill-fated attempt to trade for Deshaun Watson.
Since his retirement, Ryan has worked as an analyst for CBS, a role he’ll now move on from.
“Arthur gave me the chance of a lifetime almost twenty years ago, and he’s done it again today,” Ryan said. “While I appreciate the time I had with the Colts and with CBS, I’ve always been a Falcon. It feels great to be home. I could not be more excited, grateful, or humbled by this new opportunity. I began my career with a singular goal: to do right by the Blank family, the Falcons organization, the City of Atlanta, and especially our fans. My commitment to the success of this franchise has not changed. I’m beyond ready to help write a new chapter of excellence.”
Ryan has no previous experience working in any kind of football management role. The obvious hope is that the return of Ryan to the Falcons franchise will lead it back to success.
As defined by Blank in his announcement of the position, the president of football “will set the vision and identity of our team.” That was Ryan’s role on the field for so many autumns. Now he’ll be doing it in the front office.
