The Atlanta Falcons have completed an interview with former quarterback Matt Ryan for the newly created president of football position. This move is part of a recent organizational restructuring announced by Owner and Chairman Arthur M. Blank on January 5.
“The leader in this new role will set the vision and identity for our team,” Blank wrote in a letter shared with fans. “Our new head coach and general manager will report to the new president of football, and they will work collaboratively as a football leadership team on all football decisions. Final decision-making authority will rest with the president of football.”
Updates about interviews for the position are being posted on AtlantaFalcons.com.
Other candidates interviewed so far include Mike Disner, chief operating officer of the Detroit Lions; Brandt Tilis, executive vice president of football operations for the Carolina Panthers; Josh Williams, director of scouting and football for the San Francisco 49ers; and Ian Cunningham, assistant general manager of the Chicago Bears.
Matt Ryan has been working as an analyst for CBS Sports since retiring from professional football in spring 2024. He has appeared on podcasts, CBS studio shows, and recently served as an announcer for Netflix’s Christmas Day games. Ryan has maintained his connection to both the Falcons organization and Atlanta community since his retirement.
Ryan’s career highlights include induction into the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor in October 2024 after playing 14 seasons with the franchise. He led Atlanta to multiple playoff appearances and a Super Bowl run. In 2016, he was named NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, earned first-team All-Pro honors that year, and was selected to four Pro Bowls during his career. He became the fastest player to reach 40,000 passing yards in just 151 games and holds several franchise records including career passing yards (55,767), pass attempts (7,443), completions (4,867), touchdowns (347), passer rating (94.5), completion percentage (65.4), and number of 300-yard games (69).
Ryan has lived in Atlanta with his wife Sarah and their three sons since he was drafted by the Falcons in 2008. The family remains active locally through charitable work such as founding “ATL: Advance the Lives” in 2020 to support Black youth by increasing social capital through after-school programs.
Ryan is considered a candidate due to his reputation as a trusted leader whose perspective broadened during his time as an analyst covering NFL business matters across different organizations. His experience as a former franchise quarterback could be valuable when making key decisions within team leadership.
His relationship with Arthur Blank may also help ease transition into this new role that oversees both head coach and general manager positions.
The Atlanta Falcons are based in Atlanta, Georgia, compete in the National Football League’s NFC South Division official website, began play as an expansion franchise in 1965 official website, have reached two Super Bowls—in 1998 and again under Ryan’s leadership in 2016 official website—and are represented by mascot Freddie the Falcon official website.
