The Atlanta Falcons recently made headlines with their new quarterback, Kirk Cousins, signaling a new era for the team. Meanwhile, amid the team’s resurgence period, former Falcon Matt Ryan also made headlines as he signed a one-day contract with the Atlanta Falcons. This move was not about extending his career but rather a symbolic gesture to officially conclude his tenure with the team.
After an illustrious 16-year NFL career, Ryan announced his retirement on Monday.
In a heartfelt video posted on social media by the Falcons, he reminisced about his journey in the league.
“April 26, 2008. My lifelong dream came true. Ever since I can remember, all I ever wanted to do was play professional sports. And on that Saturday in New York City, the Atlanta Falcons gave me that chance. So today 16 years after being drafted, my childhood dream has officially come to an end. I’m honored to retire as a Falcon,” he said, per A to Z Sports.
The 2016 NFL Most Valuable Player award winner leaves behind a legacy as the winningest quarterback in Falcons history, having led the team to the NFL playoffs six times. Notably, he is one of only two quarterbacks, alongside Chris Chandler in 1998, to guide the Falcons to the Super Bowl.
What led Matt Ryan to declare his retirement?
Matt Ryan showcased remarkable durability throughout his Falcons tenure, missing just three games due to injuries. However, his final years in Atlanta were marred by five consecutive losing seasons as the team entered a rebuilding phase following the 2021 campaign.
His departure from Atlanta came when the team opted to trade the aging quarterback, along with his sizable contract, to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a third-round draft pick. Unfortunately, his stint in Indianapolis didn’t unfold as expected, leading to a less-than-ideal conclusion to his career.
After the Colts released him, the four-time Pro Bowler joined CBS while keeping an eye on a possible return to the field. Despite receiving several offers from interested teams, none met his preferences, prompting him to make the decision to retire from professional football.
Though it has ended with a bitter experience, he concludes that his career is currently ranked seventh in NFL history for passing yards and ninth for career touchdown passes.
