A distinguished career is officially over.
Matt Ryan, the former Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons quarterback, announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday.
Ryan agreed to a one-day contract with the Falcons to end his career in Atlanta.
“Today, 16 years after being drafted, my childhood dream has officially come to an end,” Ryan stated in a video released to the Falcons’ social media platforms. “I am honored to retire as a Falcon…” I consider myself extremely fortunate to have begun and ended my journey in Atlanta.
The four-time Pro Bowler spent 14 of his 15 seasons in Atlanta after the Falcons selected him third overall from Boston College in 2008. Ryan’s finest season game came in 2016, when he was crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player and led the Falcons to Super Bowl LI, where they famously lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots after leading 28-3. Ryan addressed the loss during his farewell speech.
“It’s something that I believe has always been a part of you. It’s difficult to fall short of the goals you set for yourself. But that is life. There are many things in your life that will go that way. “You have to pick up and move on,” Ryan said Monday.
When owner Arthur Blank and his team felt a new era was required in Atlanta in 2022, Ryan was transferred to Indianapolis for a third-round pick in that year’s draft. Ryan played 12 games for the Horseshoe, finishing with 3,057 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The Colts finished 4-12-1 that season after firing head coach Frank Reich and going through a series of quarterback changes, eventually releasing Ryan.
“It’s something that I believe has always been a part of you. It’s difficult to fall short of the goals you set for yourself. But that is life. There are many things in your life that will go that way. “You have to pick up and move on,” Ryan said Monday.
When owner Arthur Blank and his team felt a new era was required in Atlanta in 2022, Ryan was transferred to Indianapolis for a third-round pick in that year’s draft. Ryan played 12 games for the Horseshoe, finishing with 3,057 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The Colts finished 4-12-1 that season after firing head coach Frank Reich and going through a series of quarterback changes, eventually releasing Ryan.
Ryan’s 62,792 career passing yards rank seventh all-time behind Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers. Pro Football Hall of Famer Manning won a Super Bowl title for the Colts — one of dozens of accolades during Manning’s 14 seasons in Indy — while Rivers also finished his career with one final year with the Horseshoe.
Elsewhere, Ryan officially leaves the league fifth in NFL history in completions (5,551) and passing attempts (8,464), ninth in touchdowns (381) and sacks taken (488). His 46 game-winning drives are sixth best in history.
