The former MVP signed a one-day contract with Atlanta to close out his career.
Matt Ryan turns the page.
Despite statements in which the quarterback announced that he remained available for a return to play, this possibility will not materialize. The Falcons announced that Ryan has signed a one-day contract to retire with the Georgia club.
After fifteen seasons, four Pro Bowls, an MVP title and a final, Ryan is hanging up his boots for good.
“Today, 16 years after being drafted, my childhood dream has officially come to an end. I am honored to retire as a Falcon. [..] In this profession, you don't control where you start. I was lucky that my beginnings and my end were here in Atlanta,” the former quarterback said according to ESPN.
Selected with the third pick in the 2008 draft, he started 234 games in the NFL, and led the Falcons continuously from 2010 to 2019 before having a season with Indianapolis. He then became an analyst for CBS Sports.
Ryan leaves the NFL with a glittering career behind him. He is historically fifth in the league in passes attempted (8,464) and completions (5,551), seventh in yards (62,792), ninth in touchdowns thrown (381), and thirty-ninth in interceptions (183).
His peak came during the 2016 season, during which he was named the league's best player and led the Falcons to the finals (lost to the Patriots).
