Former NFL MVP and CBS Sports Analyst Matt Ryan has been named President of Football for the Atlanta Falcons. The announcement was made by Arthur M. Blank, Owner and Chairman of the team, on Saturday.
Ryan will take over immediately, overseeing all football operations for the organization. He will report directly to Blank and work with Falcons President and CEO Greg Beadles to align both business and football activities. The team is currently searching for a new head coach and general manager, with both positions set to report to Ryan.
“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,” said Blank. “I am confident those same qualities will be a tremendous benefit to our organization as he steps into this new role. From his playing days to his time as an analyst at CBS, Matt has always been a student of the game, and he brings an astute understanding of today’s NFL, as well as unique knowledge of our organization and this market. I have full confidence and trust in Matt as we strive to deliver a championship caliber team for Atlanta and Falcons fans everywhere.”
Ryan accepted the position early Saturday morning and will be involved in selecting the next head coach and general manager.
After a 15-year NFL playing career, Ryan spent three years analyzing games for CBS Sports. He worked alongside Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, A.J. Ross, James Brown, Bill Cowher, and Nate Burleson during his broadcasting tenure. This experience gave him insight into how successful organizations are built within the league.
“Arthur gave me the chance of a lifetime almost twenty years ago, and he’s done it again today,” said Ryan. “While I appreciate the time I had with the Colts and with CBS, I’ve always been a Falcon. It feels great to be home. I could not be more excited, grateful, or humbled by this new opportunity. 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.”
During his 14 seasons with Atlanta—which began when he was selected third overall in the 2008 NFL Draft—Ryan led the Falcons to five playoff appearances including two NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl appearance in 2016 (https://www.atlantafalcons.com/). He holds multiple franchise records such as career passing yards (59,735), attempts (8,003), completions (5,242), touchdowns (367), passer rating (94.6), completion percentage (65.5%), and 300-yard games (73). He also led Atlanta to a regular season record of 120-102 (.541) while missing only three games.
Ryan earned offensive rookie honors from several organizations in 2008 after joining from Boston College.
His standout year came in 2016 when he was named first-team All-Pro after leading Atlanta—an NFC South Division member based in Georgia since its start as an expansion team in 1965 (https://limpar.locallabs.com/organizations/49b49c7a-e30c-42ef-aa44-28c0e0714af4)—to its second NFC title (https://www.atlantafalcons.com/) and becoming its first NFL MVP recipient.
From 2011 through 2020 Ryan recorded ten straight seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards; he threw at least 20 touchdowns each season during his final thirteen years with Atlanta—a streak ranking third-longest in league history.
“I know first-hand what a great foundation this organization has and I’m confident we can build on that and cement a culture of accountability, tenacity, resilience and winning,” said Ryan. “Setting clear expectations for every single person who walks into Flowery Branch or puts on a Falcons uniform, reinvigorating our approach with strategic thinking, and being disciplined about finding near-term wins to set us up for long-term success – these are all priorities and principles I will bring to this role.”
Off-field contributions include community service recognized by his selection as Falcons Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee in 2016. He raised funds for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Aflac Cancer Center through charity events; supported “Miracle Babies” at Northside Hospital; aided March of Dimes; launched ATL: Advance The Lives initiative against structural barriers facing Black youth; raised $1.3 million via GoFundMe; continues community involvement alongside wife Sarah—the couple lives with their three sons in metro Atlanta.
“My history with this team speaks for itself, and I’m really grateful for it, and the great relationship I’ve been lucky to have with Arthur and his family,” said Ryan. “I also recognize this side of football is not where I’ve come up. I’ve played, I’ve commented, but I haven’t directly operated. I think I’m humble enough to recognize there will be some baptism by fire, but I’m ready for that. I know I’ve got great resources and partners throughout this organization and I’m fortunate to have mentors across the league. That said,I do understand the weight of a role like this – I’ve lived it.I have confidence in the perspective my years as a playerand a team leader give me.This is not anew table; it’s just anew seat.”
The Falcons compete in the National Football League’s NFC South Division since their founding as an expansion franchise in 1965. The club operates out of Atlanta, Georgia.
