While he’s not officially calling it quits, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan posted on social media that he’ll be working with CBS this season.
“Excited to join the @NFLonCBS family! Looking forward to breaking down the game this season. P.S. – this is not a retirement post,” Ryan wrote on Twitter.
Ryan was a guest analyst with CBS during the playoffs last season and got good reviews for his efforts. It’s a natural progression for Ryan.
He leaves the door open for a return to the NFL, but realistically, this should be then end of the line for a player who leads the Falcons in virtually every meaningful passing statistic.
Ryan played 14 years with the Falcons and had 59,735 yards and 367 touchdowns for the club. He was traded last spring to the Indianapolis Colts where he and the Colts had a disappointing season.
He started 12 games for Indianapolis and had 3,057 yards passing and 14 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.
If Ryan is finished with his career, he leaves the game with the seventh-most passing yards in the history of the NFL. His 62,792 is just 648 yards behind Philip Rivers in sixth place and 1,296 behind Ben Roethlisberger for fifth.
Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons Statistics
Games – 203 – 1st
Wins – 120 – 1st
Win % – 59.4% – 1st
Yards – 59,735
Completions – 5,242 – 1st
Touchdowns – 367 – 1st
Completion % – 65.5% (min 200 attempts) – 1st
I think the Colts probably have to be happy about this as well. If he “retires” they should get about $13 million back in Cap space this year.