Matt Ryan could be the next retired quarterback to get back into the NFL.
Unlike Philip Rivers, who ended his time off by returning to the Indianapolis Colts as their QB, Ryan is said to be “seriously considering” a move to the Atlanta Falcons front office, according to Fox NFL reporter Jay Glazer.
Glazer said Sunday that Falcons owner Arthur Blank has “had conversations” with Ryan about heading back to Atlanta for a “significant” front-office role.
Ryan, Atlanta’s all-time passing leader, has been an analyst for CBS since he retired in 2022. The 40-year-old Ryan was the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and spent 14 years with the Falcons before a final season in Indianapolis.
According to Glazer, the discussions are ongoing and “people close to Ryan say he’s seriously considering the move.”
Ryan would be coming back to a Falcons franchise that’s about to close out an eighth consecutive year without making the playoffs, the lengthiest streak in the NFC, despite playing in the weak NFC South.
Terry Fontenot has been Atlanta’s general manager for the past five years and head coach Raheem Morris is in his second season as head coach, with the Falcons headed towards another sub-.500 finish.
If Ryan does leave broadcasting for the Falcons, he’d be just the next big-name quarterback to return in their front office, as John Elway was the GM of the Denver Broncos.
Dan Marino also was a member of the Miami Dolphins front office and has served as Special Advisor to the Vice Chairman, President and CEO of the club.
As for the Falcons, since blowing a 28-3 lead to the Patriots in the Super Bowl nearly a decade ago, they made the playoffs just once since, in 2017, and haven’t finished with an above .500 record.
