ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Atlanta Falcons have hired arguably its greatest quarterback in team history to a front office position.
On Saturday, the 60-year-old NFL franchise announced Matt Ryan has been hired as president of football.
Matt Ryan press conference, April 22, 2024.(WANF/Pool)
The announcement of Ryan’s hiring came after team owner Arthur Blank fired both Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris from their positions of general manager and head coach, respectively, on Jan. 4, 2026.
Fontenot and Morris were fired only hours after the Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints, finishing with a second consecutive record of 8-9.
Less than 24 hours later, Blank announced Rich McKay has been replaced as president and CEO of the team by team president Greg Beadles. McKay is expected to take a larger role across the Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment organization, of which he has served as CEO for four years.
In that statement, Blank announced the addition of a new president of football position for the franchise. He said the person in the position “will set the vision and identity” for the team, as the new head coach and general manager will report to them.
ANF’s Baillie Burmaster ask Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank what will be different during this round of coach selection.
Ryan’s hiring came after the Falcons completed their eighth straight losing season. The 2016 NFL MVP had been serving as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports since his retirement in 2024.
For more than a decade, Ryan was the face of the franchise. Before the 2008 season, the Falcons were coming off one of its most disastrous seasons in history, which is saying something for the historically unsuccessful franchise.
Quarterback Michael Vick had just been suspended for his involvement in a dog-fighting operation, and head coach Bobby Petrino bolted before the impact/awardseason’s end for the University of Arkansas.
Coming out of Boston College, Ryan was the third pick in the 2008 NFL draft, chosen by new general manager Thomas Dimitroff to play for new head coach Mike Smith. Ryan’s first NFL regular-season pass was a 62-yard touchdown to wide receiver Michael Jenkins on Sept. 7, 2008, against the Detroit Lions.
From there, Ryan would lead the team to its first streak of consecutive winning seasons in Falcons history. He led the Falcons to Super Bowl LI in 2016, a game they lost in overtime to the New England Patriots after leading 28-3.
In 2022, Ryan was traded to the Indianapolis Colts after the Falcons attempted to trade for Houston Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson, who eventually was sent to the Cleveland Browns.
Matt Ryan’s major milestones with the Atlanta Falcons
2008 — Drafted: Selected No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft.2008 — Immediate impact/award: Became the Falcons’ starting quarterback as a rookie and won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.2008–2021 — Franchise QB / records: Served as Atlanta’s full‑time starting QB for 14 seasons, becoming the Falcons’ all‑time leader in career passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions and starts. He established himself as the face of the franchise throughout this period.Multiple seasons — Pro Bowls & accolades: Earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and several single‑season team and league recognitions (including franchise records and top NFL passing seasons).2016 season (played in early 2017) — MVP & Super Bowl: Had a career year (4,944 passing yards, 38 TDs), won the AP NFL MVP award, and led the Falcons to Super Bowl LI (Feb 5, 2017). Atlanta lost to the New England Patriots in overtime after holding a 28–3 lead.March 2022 — End of Falcons tenure: Traded to the Indianapolis Colts, formally ending his time as the Falcons’ starting quarterback.
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