Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan announces retirement after 15 seasons in NFL

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who was named the NFL’s most valuable player in 2016, has officially announced his retirement at the age of 38.

Ryan, renowned for his exceptional career as a quarterback, shared the news of his retirement from the NFL on Monday, April 22, 2024.

He signed a one-day contract with the Atlanta Falcons, the team he spent 14 seasons with, and one season with the Indianapolis Colts.

After taking a break from playing in the 2023 season, Ryan pursued a role as a TV analyst before returning to the Falcons to retire officially as a member of the team.

In a heartfelt video message shared by the Falcons, Ryan expressed gratitude to the city of Atlanta and the Falcons organization. “My childhood dream has officially come to an end,” he said. “I’m honoured to retire as a Falcon.”

Throughout his illustrious career, Ryan achieved remarkable milestones, including leading the NFL in completions in 2019 and 2020.

He was awarded the prestigious MVP title in 2016 after guiding the Falcons to an impressive 11-5 record with 4,944 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Ryan’s exceptional performance earned him selection to four Pro Bowls.

Despite the bittersweet memory of the 2016 Super Bowl LI, where the Falcons lost to the New England Patriots after holding a significant lead, Ryan’s impact on the Falcons organization and the city of Atlanta remains indelible.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank praised Ryan’s contributions, stating, “Matt Ryan’s impact on the Atlanta Falcons organization and the city of Atlanta is immeasurable.”

Blank highlighted Ryan’s remarkable journey since being selected as the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and winning the NFL Rookie of the Year award.

Throughout his career, Ryan started 234 games, with 222 of them in Atlanta. His impressive record of 124 wins, 109 losses, and one tie underscores his remarkable consistency and leadership on the field.

Ryan’s 38 career fourth-quarter comebacks solidify his place among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

Reflecting on his retirement, Ryan expressed gratitude for his time with the Falcons, emphasizing the significance of beginning and ending his career in Atlanta. “You have no control in this profession in where you start,” he remarked. “I am so lucky that my start and my finish was here in Atlanta.”