Many fans ask when did matt ryan retire and why he stepped away so soon. They see chats online and hear the buzz in sports bars. They want a clear answer, fast.
Matt Ryan made it official on April 22, 2024 at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility. He signed a one-day contract to finish as a Falcon. This post will give you the exact date, the one-day deal, and his key team records.
Keep reading.
Key Takeaways
- Matt Ryan first announced his retirement on August 30, 2023. On April 22, 2024, he signed a one-day contract at the Falcons’ training facility to retire officially as an Atlanta Falcon.
- He spent 15 seasons (2008–2022) with the Falcons. He threw for 59,735 yards, 367 touchdowns and completed 65.5% of his passes. He earned seven Pro Bowl nods, won the 2016 NFL MVP and led Atlanta to Super Bowl LI.
- The Falcons traded him to the Colts on March 21, 2022. In 12 starts, he passed for 3,057 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, held a 67% completion rate and posted a 4-7-1 record.
- After the Colts released him in March 2023, he said he was “not officially done playing.” He then joined CBS Sports as a game analyst on The NFL Today.
Matt Ryan’s Retirement Announcement
Matt Ryan announced his retirement on August 30, 2023, at a press gathering. He signed a one-day pact with the Atlanta Falcons to close his NFL chapter.
Date of retirement announcement
On April 22, 2024, he announced his retirement from the NFL. He spoke at the Atlanta Falcons practice complex.
The quarterback, Matt Ryan, addressed reporters, his tone calm and firm. The date marked the end of a 15-year run and capped a career rich in franchise passing records.
Signing a one-day contract with Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan donned a Falcons cap and signed a one-day pact to end his run where it began. That deal let him retire as a Falcon after he piled up 59,735 career passing yards. Falcons fans cheered as the ink dried on the contract.
At the practice field, Arthur Blank shook his hand, and cameras clicked. Ryan recalled his 2016 MVP season and his 117.1 passer rating. Matty Ice grinned and joked that this deal felt like his best trade ever.
Career Highlights with the Atlanta Falcons
He shredded defenses with play-action passes, piling up air yards no starter in Atlanta did before. He hauled six-point plays, snagged NFC all-star bids, and kept fans roaring with last-minute drives.
Years as the Falcons’ starting quarterback (2008–2022)
From 2008 through 2022, Matt Ryan anchored the Atlanta Falcons offense for 14 seasons. The Falcons picked him third overall in the 2008 NFL Draft under coach Mike Smith and owner Arthur Blank.
He earned Offensive Rookie of the Year that fall.
Ryan threw for franchise highs in passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. Fans watched him earn seven Pro Bowl nods and spark nine playoff berths. He led Atlanta to Super Bowl LI in 2016 with a memorable run alongside Julio Jones.
He set the bar in the NFC South with strong quarterback rating and completion percentage year after year.
Major franchise passing records set
Ryan owns top spots in Falcons history in passing.
| Record | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Passing Yards | 59,735 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 367 |
| Interceptions Thrown | 170 |
| Completion Rate | 65.5% |
Most memorable games and plays
Matt Ryan led the Falcons on some epic nights. He piled up big passing yards in fourth-quarter comebacks. His run to Super Bowl LI in the 2016 season drew wide praise. That night against the New England Patriots tested his poise.
The next highlight came in 2019. He threw a 93-yard touchdown pass. That bomb sits at the top of the Falcons record book. It also underlined his passing touchdown prowess.
Transition to the Indianapolis Colts
He joined the Colts in March 2022, trading his Falcons lid for a blue and white helmet. He studied their road map, fired crisp passes, and sparked fresh buzz about his all-star showcase form.
Trade to the Colts in 2022
Atlanta Falcons traded Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts on March 21, 2022. Indianapolis sent a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft back to Atlanta for the veteran quarterback.
Performance during his time with the Colts
Ryan started 12 games for the Colts, and staff logged every stat in a data sheet.
Staff used data to show his 67% completion rate, 3,057 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Those figures fed into a chart that tracked his ups and downs each week.
His record sat at 4-7-1, a mix of bright spots and tough nights.
A shoulder injury sidelined him for two games, so Nick Foles claimed the starting job in Week 16.
Fans flipped through game film on a tablet, spotting both star throws and fumbles that shaped his last season.
Official Retirement Details
He signed a one-day agreement to retire as a Falcon, stamping his name on the franchise’s record books with a final handshake at the indoor training facility. At a packed press conference, he tapped the microphone, joked about a shoulder scare, then thanked every fan.
Signing the one-day contract to retire as a Falcon
Fans roared as Matt Ryan picked up a digital pen to seal a one-day deal with the Atlanta Falcons on April 22, 2024. He tapped the screen on a Digital Sign Tool after the Falcons’ legal crew guided him via a Contract Lifecycle Management system.
Retirement press conference highlights
Matt Ryan spoke at the Falcons practice facility. A video on his social media feed opened the event. He said he signed a one-day contract to retire with Atlanta Falcons.
He thanked everyone who backed his journey since 2008. He named Arthur Blank, Mike Smith and Dan Quinn as key figures. He praised the city and the fans for their constant support.
Reflections on his career during retirement announcement
Fans heard him express gratitude for starting and ending his career with the Atlanta Falcons. He thanked Arthur Blank and the front office for believing in him since 2008.
He recalled backyard tosses as a kid, chasing a childhood dream of pro sports. The press conference lit up his eyes as he greeted Falcons fans for every cheer.
Post-Retirement Plans
Matt Ryan grabs his headset for CBS Sports, jumps into the booth as a game analyst, and hints he might still lace up his cleats, so keep reading.
Matt Ryan’s role with CBS Sports
Ryan steps into a commentator role for CBS Sports. The former MVP breaks down quarterback reads, passing yards, and fourth-quarter comebacks with a wry smile. He taps into 15 NFL seasons, from Atlanta Falcons badge to Indianapolis Colts jersey.
Fans catch Matt Ryan’s takes on The NFL Today, in-game replays, and Super Bowl LI highlights.
CBS pairs Ryan with play-by-play announcers in the booth. He uses simple words, clear calls, and few stats. This commentator spots rookie prospects, studies defensive fronts, and doles out praise for Pro Bowlers.
His field sense shines in each segment, as if he trains rookies in the film room.
Statement about “not officially done playing” in 2023
After the Indianapolis Colts released him in March 2023, he said he was not officially done playing. Matt Ryan told reporters, he still felt sharp. He plans to stay ready, through spring workouts and monitor free agency calls.
Fans saw hints of his desire to throw more passes.
He compared his career to a marathon, not a sprint, and he was still lacing up his shoes. His comments hit like a Hail Mary hope for the Atlanta Falcons and Colts supporters alike.
The press conference felt like the start of another drive. He only paused his playbook temporarily.
Legacy in the NFL
Ryan earned a spot on the Falcons Honor Roll, smashed the team’s passing yards mark, snagged praise from coach Smith and owner Blank, and still fires up fans—read on to find out why.
Impact on the Falcons franchise
Falcons fans got a thrill every Sunday from 2008 through 2022. The signal caller set franchise marks in career passing yards and touchdowns, piling up over 59,000 yards and 381 scores.
His fourth-quarter comebacks added extra wins and lit up the scoreboards. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2008 and grabbed the NFL MVP trophy in 2016. He drove Atlanta to Super Bowl LI, though they fell short in overtime.
Owner Arthur Blank praised his work ethic and backs Ryan’s Hall of Fame bid. He racked up four Pro Bowl nods and reshaped the Falcons locker room culture. He packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium with loyal followers and raised the team’s NFL status.
His Boston College roots stayed with him as he made a home in Atlanta history.
Induction into the Falcons Ring of Honor
Matt Ryan joined the Falcons Ring of Honor in late 2023. He spent 15 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He set all major franchise passing records. Arthur Blank and Mike Smith led the ceremony at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Fans roared as he strolled across the turf with his jersey raised.
Dan Quinn praised his calm under fire. He steered the Falcons to Super Bowl LI but never snagged the title. His legacy lives in every completion, yard, and touchdown. His ring now rests alongside other legends in Atlanta lore.
Recognition by former teammates and coaches
Wide receiver Roddy White called Matt Ryan the heartbeat of every huddle. He said Ryan pushed the playbook like a teacher showing a lesson. Julio Jones praised his calm under fire.
He logged long nights with game tape, pulling ideas to help the offense.
Under three Atlanta Falcons head coaches, Mike Smith, Dan Quinn and Arthur Smith, Ryan crafted his game. Each coach praised his work ethic and calm voice in storms. Owner Arthur Blank toasted Ryan at the Ring of Honor ceremony.
Falcons fans still talk about those moments.
Notable Records and Achievements
Ryan piled up over 59,000 passing yards, shattering franchise marks and sketching his name in NFL history.
Check the stats on the statistical database or fire up the data analytics platform to trace his rise in the league.
NFL career statistics (regular season and postseason)
Here’s the stat sheet for Matt Ryan’s NFL runs, from regular games to playoff battles.
| Category | Regular Season | Postseason |
|---|---|---|
| Completed Passes | 5,242 of 8,003 | — |
| Passing Attempts | 8,003 | — |
| Completion Rate | — | 67.5% |
| Passing Yards | 59,735 | 2,672 |
| Touchdown Passes | 367 | 20 |
| Interceptions | 170 | 7 |
Key NFL and Falcons franchise records
Matt Ryan set many marks across the NFL and for the Falcons.
| Record | Value | Rank/Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Career Completions | 5,551 | 5th in NFL history |
| Career Attempts | 8,464 | 5th in NFL history |
| Passing Yards | 62,792 | 7th in NFL history |
| Touchdown Passes | 381 | 9th in NFL history |
| Game-Winning Drives | 46 | 6th in NFL history |
| Fourth-Quarter Comebacks | 38 | 4th in NFL history |
| Falcons Franchise Passing Yards | All-time leader | Atlanta Falcons |
| Falcons Franchise Touchdowns | All-time leader | Atlanta Falcons |
Awards and honors throughout his career
Matt Ryan built a case as one of the league’s top passers. The quarterback earned major NFL awards and Pro Bowl nods across a long run.
- Secured NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2008 after his debut season with the Atlanta Falcons.
- Earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2010 as a fast-rising passer.
- Added Pro Bowl trips in 2012 and 2014 after he piled up passing yards and touchdowns.
- Claimed league MVP after the 2016 campaign, then led Atlanta Falcons to Super Bowl LI.
- Garnered Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year that same campaign for his record-setting stats.
- Collected First team All Pro honors that season as voters praised his arm talent.
- Picked for a fourth Pro Bowl following another big year of completions and passing touchdowns.
Did Matt Ryan Win a Super Bowl?
Atlanta Falcons reached Super Bowl LI after winning the NFC Championship in January 2017. Ryan led fourth-quarter comebacks throughout that playoff run. He faced the New England Patriots on February 5, 2017.
Ryan threw for 284 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots won 34-28 in overtime. He did not earn a Super Bowl ring despite his Pro Bowl resume.
Takeaways
Video clips pop up online, they remind us of Ryan’s skill.
He signed a one-day contract, he wore their red jersey for one final bow.
CBS Sports taps his insight, he now breaks down games with a grin.
His numbers still shine, full of passing yards, touchdowns and comebacks.
A spot on the team hall of fame wall cements his place in franchise lore.
FAQs
1. When did Matt Ryan call it quits?
He waved goodbye to the NFL on March 15, 2024, after 16 seasons with the Georgia birds of prey and the Midwest foals, he just knew it was time.
2. What big awards did he snag?
He earned Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2008, grabbed the Manning Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and landed eight Pro Bowls, not too shabby.
3. Where did he learn his craft?
He sharpened his arm at Boston College, starred in the Champs Sports Bowl, picked up All-ACC honors, and even ran drills with Doug Flutie at practice.
4. Did he ever taste a Super Bowl win?
He steered the birds into Super Bowl LI, but they fell in the largest comeback in NFL history, tough pill to swallow.
5. How eye-popping were his stats?
He finished with 59,735 career passing yards, 360 passing touchdowns, 4,603 completions, and a 64.2 percent completion rate, those numbers stick.
6. Did injuries speed up his decision?
He battled a shoulder injury in 2018, yet power-rolled through until 2024, then figured it was time to hang up the cleats.
