Matt Ryan, former MVP, retires as an Atlanta Falcon from the NFL after 15-year long career

But 15 years later, Ryan departed with the team and the NFL after posting numbers, arguably making him a potential Hall of Famer. The last time the quarterback stepped foot on a football field was with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, which unfortunately ended in disappointment. Ryan spent the following year as an analyst for CBS Sports. 

My childhood dream has officially come to an end. I'm honored to retire as a Falcon. You have no control in this profession of where you start. I am so lucky that my start and now my finish is here in Atlanta. Matt Ryan said in his retirement video.

He signed a one-year contract with the Falcons this week just to retire from his longtime team. To express his gratitude to the franchise and announce his retirement, Ryan made a video letter shared by the Falcons on social media. 

Is Matt Ryan a potential Hall of Famer? 

There have been debates on whether or not the Falcons’ star quarterback had a Hall of Famer-worthy career. Well, it can’t be said until his eligibility year in 2028 but then again, Ryan may have to wait beyond that to earn the honor. 

As Tom Brady and J.J. Watt are already declared eligible for that year– to again two of those five modern-era HOF spots. Having two quarterbacks in one class would sure be surprising. But that’s a question of ‘if’ Ryan becomes eligible. 

Though his numbers speak for themselves. He is ranked seventh in all-time passing yards at 62,792 and ninth in all-time touchdown passes at 381. He has earned Pro Bowl honors four times and threw 4,000 yards in ten seasons while making six playoff appearances with the Falcons.