Key Takeaways
- Matt Ryan becomes the new President of Football for the Atlanta Falcons, marking a leadership change as the team rebuilds.
- He will oversee football operations and report directly to team owner Arthur Blank.
- Ryan has a strong history with the Falcons, holding franchise records and earning NFL MVP honors during his playing career.
- He acknowledges the challenges of his new role but believes his experience will help him succeed in management.
Immediate leadership role in organizational overhaul
Ryan will begin immediately and oversee all aspects of Falcons football operations, reporting directly to team owner Arthur Blank. The former quarterback will collaborate with Falcons President and CEO Greg Beadles to ensure alignment between business and football operations.
Ryan’s appointment comes as Atlanta searches for both a new head coach and general manager following the dismissal of Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris after an 8-9 season. Both positions will report directly to Ryan.
“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,” Blank said. “I am confident those same qualities will be a tremendous benefit to our organization as he steps into this new role.”
‘Student of the game’
Following his 15-year NFL playing career, Ryan spent the past three years as a CBS Sports analyst before transitioning to a studio analyst.
“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,” Blank noted.
Francise icon
Ryan was selected third overall in the 2008 NFL Draft from Boston College. He spent 14 seasons in Atlanta, establishing virtually every significant franchise passing record. The Falcons traded him to the Indianapolis Colts in 2022.
His career achievements with the Falcons include 59,735 passing yards, 5,242 completions, 367 passing touchdowns, and a 94.6 passer rating. Ryan led Atlanta to a 120-102 regular-season record while missing just three games during his tenure.
A learning curve
Ryan acknowledged the challenges ahead in his new executive role.
“I also recognize this side of football is not where I’ve come up. I’ve played, I’ve commented, but I haven’t directly operated. I think I’m humble enough to recognize there will be some baptism by fire, but I’m ready for that,” Ryan said.
“This is not a new table; it’s just a new seat.”
Community ties
Ryan, who was named a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee in 2016, has also done charitable work for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Northside Hospital. In 2020, Ryan and his wife launched ATL: Advance the Lives to combat systemic barriers facing Black youth.
“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.”