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 lost Super Bowl, Ryan is hanging up his cleats 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.
Matt Ryan, MVP victim of a cruel Super Bowl
Selected with the third pick in the 2008 draft to erase the memory of Michael Vick being sent to prison, he will quickly fulfill the contract. Holder for 234 games in the NFL, he led the Falcons without interruption from 2010 to 2019 before having a season with Indianapolis. He then became an analyst for CBS Sports. And if he calls the jets after Aaron Rodgers' injury, don't follow through.
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 MVP and led the Falcons to the Super Bowl. A defeat which obviously remains the cruelest moment of his career.
While leading 28 to 3, the Falcons ended up losing in overtime.
