The Atlanta Falcons have hired former quarterback Matt Ryan, who led the team from 2008 to 2021, to join the front office as their president of football.
“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. I am confident those same qualities will be a tremendous benefit to our organization as he steps into this new role,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Saturday.
Ryan said Blank “gave me the chance of a lifetime almost twenty years ago, and he’s done it again today. … 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.”
The Falcons were reportedly talking to Ryan about taking a role in the front office at the end of last year, according to The Athletic.
Ryan is leaving his role as a CBS Sports on-air analyst at the end of the season to take the position. He will immediately be involved in the team’s search for a new general manager and head coach.
The organization cleaned house last week after the final regular-season game. This season was the team’s eighth consecutive losing campaign.
The Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris, general manager Terry Fontenot and team CEO Rich McKay,.who will continue to work for the team’s parent organization, Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment.
“I want to thank the incredible team at CBS Sports,” Ryan said in a statement posted online by CBS Sports. “I loved my three years there and I am truly grateful for their support in pursuing this opportunity. The CBS Sports culture is amazing, and I have made teammates and friends for life.”
In turn, CBS Sports CEO David Berson said, “We couldn’t be happier for Matt. … Matt is an outstanding teammate, leader, and friend, and we thank him for his time at CBS Sports. We know he’ll bring the same level of excellence to this new role that defined his playing career and his time with us.”
Ryan missed only three games in his career after being drafted by the Falcons third overall in 2008.
In his career, he led the team to five playoff appearances, the 2013 NFC Championship game, the 2017 NFC Championship title and Super Bowl appearance in 2017.
Ryan also set franchise records for passing touchdowns, career passing yards, passer rating, completions, completion percentage and attempts. He was NFL MVP for the 2016 season.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.