Analysis

Legendary Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was inducted into the franchise's Ring of Honor in October 2024. Todd Kirkland / Getty Images

The Atlanta Falcons have had conversations with legendary quarterback Matt Ryan about a potential role in the franchise’s front office, league sources told The Athletic. Owner Arthur Blank has taken note of organizations like the San Francisco 49ers and the Carolina Panthers, which have incorporated former NFL players into their culture-building efforts.

Ryan, who is the organization’s career leading passer and was the 2016 NFL MVP, is currently an analyst at CBS. He did not immediately respond to a text message from The Athletic on Sunday. Fox’s Jay Glazer was the first to report Atlanta’s contact with Ryan.

Blank’s interest in Ryan is no surprise. Blank has said in the past that he considers the former quarterback like a son despite trading him to Indianapolis in 2022. The Falcons inducted Ryan into the team’s Ring of Honor in October of 2024, and he has made regular appearances around the team’s facility since his retirement following the 2022 season.

Ryan threw for 59,735 yards and 367 touchdowns in 14 seasons in Atlanta. The Philadelphia-area native was drafted third overall by the Falcons in 2008 and started 222 regular-season games for the team.

Atlanta doesn’t currently have any openings in its front office, but general manager Terry Fontenot’s job status has been in question since the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention earlier this season. The team has never finished with a winning record in Fontenot’s five seasons with the team. Overall, Atlanta has had eight consecutive losing seasons, which ties the franchise record.