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

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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spanned from 2008-22, and all however one season was spent with the group that first gave him a shot at 22 years outdated. He is now 38.

“It was a hell of a journey,” Ryan mentioned. “I am excited to see what’s subsequent, this subsequent chapter of life and see the place that takes us. However right this moment, 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 right this moment.”

Ryan was delivered to Atlanta from Boston Faculty 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 brief to the Arizona Cardinals within the wild-card spherical.

Quick ahead to 2021, Ryan began all 17 video games in what would finally 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 report they haven’t topped since.

In whole, Ryan began in 222 of a potential 225 regular-season video games for the Falcons. He compiled a profitable 120-102 report 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 mentioned. “I feel that it is one of many issues that’s at all times part of you, proper? Falling in need of what you finally got down to do is hard, however that is life. There’s so many issues in your life which can be going to go that manner. You bought to choose up and transfer on. I keep in mind seeing a Winston Churchill quote: ‘Success is not ultimate, 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 report.

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 the most effective common, with 269.1 passing yards per recreation. He accomplished probably the most passes (65.5%) out of gamers who appeared in a minimum of 10 video games. He has thrown the longest cross – 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 12 months in 2008. He later earned first-team All-Professional recognition, the Offensive Participant of the 12 months award and the title of MVP, all from AP in 2016. He was additionally chosen to the Professional Bowl 4 occasions (2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016).

“Once I was going again and studying these notes and preparing for right this moment,” Falcons group proprietor Arthur Clean mentioned, “it amazed me within the 14 years that we had been graced with Matt as our franchise quarterback and chief, actually, what he is completed.

” … That is an distinctive soccer participant however in all probability extra distinctive as a human being, as a husband, as a father and as an awesome pal. He is been a beloved pal to me for that time frame, to my complete household. They view Matt as sort of one among our personal, and he’s one among our personal. He is actually one among Atlanta’s personal. It is an awesome honor for me to be right here right this moment 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 ultimate 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 harm, 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 unique consequence, however I’m grateful for that chance,” Ryan mentioned. “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 aside from to play skilled sports activities,” Ryan mentioned. “In April of 2008, (the Falcons) gave me that chance. I do know draft picks are by no means a straightforward choice. There’s a lot of choices, there’s a lot of methods you’ll be able to go. So, for me, it was a duty day by day to be sure to guys had been proper and I attempted to try this the most effective that I may for the 14 seasons right here.

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