You scroll big tables on ESPN, or watch the NFL Draft board on CBS Sports, and you still wonder, who is matt ryan? You might hear talk of passer rating or Super Bowl LI, and feel lost.
Fans crave a clear tale. They need simple steps.
Here is a fact. Matt Ryan once won NFL MVP and led the Atlanta Falcons to Super Bowl LI. This post will cover his rise at Boston College, his prime with the Falcons, his key passer rating stats, and his brief stay with the Colts.
You will get clear charts, film study tips, and real locker-room dialogue. Read on.
Key Takeaways
- Matt Ryan starred at Boston College from 2005 to 2007. He threw for 9,313 yards and 56 touchdowns and won ACC Player of the Year in 2007.
- The Atlanta Falcons drafted him third overall in 2008. He played in Atlanta through 2021, made four Pro Bowls (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016), and set team marks for passing yards (55,767) and touchdowns (347).
- In 2016, Ryan earned NFL MVP honors. He threw for 4,944 yards, 38 TDs, and posted a 117.1 passer rating, leading the Falcons to Super Bowl LI.
- Over his career he amassed 59,735 regular‐season passing yards, 360 touchdowns, a 94.5 passer rating, and reached 40,000 yards in just 151 games (an NFL record).
- He signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, recorded 4,169 yards, 24 TDs, and an 87.1 passer rating, then retired as a Falcon in early 2023 and joined CBS as a football analyst.
Early Life and College Career
He grew up in Pennsylvania and led his high school to playoffs with a rocket arm, and he stayed calm under pressure. Then at college, he broke conference passing yards marks, and he won top player honors before he entered the draft.
Childhood and high school achievements
Exton, Pennsylvania holds his roots. Matt Ryan starred in youth football. Coaches praised his arm strength and poise. He hit receivers with accurate throws. Scouts noted his quick reads and calm on the field.
He stood 6 feet 4 inches tall during his high school years. He threw for 3,500 yards and 40 touchdowns as a senior. He posted a 105.2 passer rating and set a school mark. Future Atlanta Falcons scouts eyed him closely.
Offers rolled in from top colleges.
College career at Boston College
Matt Ryan joined Boston College in 2005 and manned the pocket for three seasons. He threw for 9,313 passing yards and 56 passing touchdowns. Ryan led the ACC in yardage in 2007 and grabbed ACC Player of the Year honors.
The pro-style offense fit his NFL-ready skill set. Ryan followed in Doug Flutie’s path on campus, adding his own spark to the Eagles’ attack.
Ryan ranked in the NCAA’s top five for passing yards and touchdown throws. Scouts praised his quick release, film study, and game smarts. He guided Boston College to bowl wins in back-to-back seasons.
That track record set the stage for a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.
Key college stats and awards
Ryan broke Boston College records with 4,507 passing yards in his senior season, eye-popping numbers at every turn. He tossed 31 touchdown passes that year, a mark no quarterback in school history had reached.
He earned ACC Player of the Year honors as a senior, a salute from league writers and voters.
Professional Career
He joined Atlanta as the third pick in the 2008 Draft, smashed team records, and dug into his playbook. He landed with the Colts in 2022, battled shifting rosters, and fired up his game tape for extra edge.
NFL Draft and selection by the Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan proved his talent at Boston College. The Falcons selected him third in April 2008 in the NFL Draft after a strong showing at the scouting combine. He hit the ground running, baffling scouts with his poise and zip.
Atlanta used its draft board to secure a future star.
The choice paid off instantly, as Ryan led the team from 2008 to 2022, piling up passing yards and touchdowns and setting franchise marks. In 2023, he signed a one-day contract to retire as a Falcon, closing a hometown chapter in black and red.
Career with the Atlanta Falcons
Falcons chose Ryan with the third pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He shined from day one. Diet Pepsi crowned him Rookie of the Week. Four Pro Bowl nods came in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.
He passed Steve Bartkowski to top the Atlanta club in career passing yards and touchdowns.
He piled up 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2016 to grab NFL MVP. He steered Atlanta to Super Bowl LI, only to fall to New England in overtime, 34-28. Passer rating hit a career-high 117.1 that year.
His name joined the Falcons Ring of Honor in 2023.
Rookie season highlights
Matt Ryan completed 265 of 434 passes for 3,440 yards in his first pro season. Those numbers included 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions across 16 games. He ranked among top rookie passers in yardage.
Atlanta Falcons fans cheered his swift rise.
He earned the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award for his efforts. Fans also saw him grab multiple NFC Offensive Player of the Week nods. That burst of skill helped Atlanta claim the NFC South title.
2016 MVP season and Super Bowl appearance
Ryan completed 69.9% of his passes for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns. His play earned the NFL MVP award and led the Atlanta Falcons to the NFC South crown.
A 36-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks and a 44-21 triumph over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship sent Atlanta to Super Bowl LI. The quarterback threw 17 of 23 passes for 284 yards, two touchdowns, and a 144.1 passer rating.
Franchise records and milestones
The franchise mark for career passing yards sits at 55,767. Matt Ryan owns it. He also tops the club in passing touchdowns, reaching 347. The single-season high of 4,944 yards came in 2016.
That season also saw him throw 38 TDs, a new high for Atlanta. The best career passer rating by a Falcon stands at 95.7, per Pro Football Reference data.
Single-game feats also shine. He threw for 503 yards versus the Buccaneers on October 23, 2016. Data visualization tools highlight his streak of games with over three hundred passing yards.
Next Gen Stats ranks his average air yards among the league’s best. Atlanta inducted him into their Ring of Honor. Fans still cite his back-to-back playoff runs as proof of his high-water mark.
Move to the Indianapolis Colts
Matt Ryan signed a one year contract with the Indianapolis Colts on March 21, 2022. He shifted into shotgun snaps and leaned on play-action to spark the Colts’ offense. Next Gen Stats tracked his 87.1 passer rating across 17 starts.
He threw for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while fighting to win the AFC South. Indianapolis cut him loose after the season ended.
Performance during the 2022 season
He completed many passes and tossed 20 passing touchdowns for the Indianapolis Colts. He topped 4,000 passing yards for a tenth straight season. His passer rating hovered near 85, as tape study showed tight windows and quick reads.
He kicked off a highlight with a 39-yard run that video analysis caught in slow motion. Colts supporters rose to their feet at that explosive burst downfield.
Challenges and team dynamics
Terry Fontenot said the Atlanta Falcons felt tight purse strings after Matt Ryan’s big deal. Financial constraints forced cap management and shaped free agency bids. The front office used a roster simulator and draft assessment to fill gaps in key spots.
Those draft strategies mirrored Ryan’s role as a leader on the field.
Players in the 2021 season rallied around Ryan like bees to honey. They hit standout plays, they showed strong team cohesion under low cap space. His switch to the Indianapolis Colts raised fresh questions about fitting into a new huddle and playbook.
Both sides ran cap tracker tools to map paths forward.
Release from the Colts
Matt Ryan played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. That franchise planned to release him once the season wrapped. The team made that move in early 2023 to free up salary cap space.
He said in 2023 he is not officially retiring. He still wants to return to the NFL if a good chance arises.
NFL Career Statistics
He threw for 59,735 yards, logged 360 passing touchdowns, and posted a 97.0 passer rating in the regular season and playoffs, per Pro Football Reference—read more.
Regular season stats
Matt Ryan completed 4,867 of 7,443 pass attempts in the regular season. His career passer rating sits at 94.5. Fans knew him as Matty Ice for his calm play in big spots. Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts offenses leaned on his arm to pile up yards.
That 94.5 rating ranks him alongside legends like Peyton Manning and Dan Marino. Analysts still pull up his numbers in NFL statistics chats. He stood out in the NFC South with crisp throws.
His regular season stats keep his legacy alive.
Postseason stats
Postseason stats from 2016 shine brightest in the NFC Championship Game vs. the Carolina Panthers. Ryan threw for 392 yards, fired 4 touchdowns, and bulldozed a 14-yard rushing tally.
His passer rating soared above 130. Few quarterbacks hit that mark.
He completed 17 of 23 passes in Super Bowl LI. That gave him 284 yards and 2 TDs. The Atlanta Falcons grabbed a 28-3 lead, but New England stormed back. He left a lasting mark, despite the overtime loss.
NFL Records and Achievements
Matt Ryan lit up the stat sheet with 59,735 passing yards, 344 TD passes, and a top-20 NFL passer rating—read on to see the full list.
League-wide records held by Matt Ryan
Falcons signal caller Ryan raced to 40,000 passing yards in just 151 games. That mark set an NFL record for the fastest time to hit 40,000 yards. He topped icons like Peyton Manning and Dan Marino.
Ryan threw over 4,000 yards for ten straight seasons, from 2011 through 2020. No other QB has done that in NFL history. He kept a solid passer rating through that stretch.
Franchise records with the Falcons
Matt Ryan tops Atlanta Falcons leaderboards in career pass attempts with 7,443 throws. He also set a club mark with 272 consecutive passes without an interception.
Awards and Honors
He snagged the league MVP, racked up Pro Bowl nods and bagged an AP Offensive Player of the Year trophy—keep reading to catch every accolade.
NFL MVP
Matt Ryan earned NFL MVP honors in 2016. Voters named the Atlanta Falcons quarterback the league’s most valuable player and placed him alongside legends like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
Pro Bowl selections
Pro Bowl nods came in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016. Each pick followed a top passer rating in the NFC South. Those honors put him with veteran quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning.
Coaches picked him for his quick reads and clean throws.
Falcons fans saw him hit 4,944 passing yards in 2016. His 117.1 passer rating led NFL statistics that season. Film study and poise earned praise from his peers. He shined in late-game drives and divisional-round games.
Other notable accolades
AP First-Team All-Pro honor arrived in 2016. Matt Ryan earned it after he paced the Atlanta Falcons with stellar play across the season.
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nomination came that same year. Voting committee praised his volunteer work and leadership off the field.
Personal Life and Off-the-Field Contributions
Ryan leads a youth program, and he packs game-day tales, charity projects, and clinic visits into his social media posts. He mentors kids, shares life tips, and backs a nonprofit, using live events and online streams to rally fans behind good causes.
Family life
At 39, he cherishes time away from the Atlanta Falcons jersey. Matt schedules weekend trips to watch his children kick a soccer ball.
His wife joins him at backyard barbecues.
Philanthropic efforts and community involvement
Matt Ryan has led many charity drives since his rookie year with the Atlanta Falcons. He teamed up with local schools in Atlanta, raising funds for sports gear and books. He is committed to giving back and making a positive impact off the field.
He has partnered with various organizations to support charitable initiatives. Fans and the sports community admire his dedication to philanthropy. His contributions to causes showcase his deep drive to help others.
Ryan kept his giving spirit alive after he joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2022.
Post-NFL Career
He now works as a TV sports analyst on CBS, wielding a mic like a coach’s whistle. He teases a gridiron comeback, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Role as a CBS football analyst
Matt Ryan joined CBS Sports as a football analyst in 2023. He uses film study and Opta metrics to break down key plays. Fans see him spot a defensive shift he faced with the Atlanta Falcons.
He points out a clutch moment in the divisional round. He even shows how a low snap flipped an Indianapolis Colts game.
Fans laugh when he tears a play apart like a mechanic on an engine, even if that play came against the New Orleans Saints. Matt brings in a playbook breakdown and a live X and O tool to show how a team drew up a bootleg.
He quizzes QBs on zone reads, and he backs calls with his own passer rating. He drops a quick tale about Julio Jones and a botched snap in the Wild Card round. His tone stays warm and clear.
Comments on a potential NFL return
He announced he is not officially retiring.
Ryan left the door open for a return, saying he could suit up again if conditions align.
His team scans game film and runs analytics, hoping a club from the AFC or NFC might make a call.
A squad like the Falcons or Colts may phone him if they want a vet who can lift a passer rating.
Legacy and Impact on the NFL
Matt Ryan rewrote the record books with his passer rating, smashing marks that few signal-callers ever match. He set a high bar for pocket poise, backed by Next Gen Stats, and young quarterbacks still chase his playbook.
Contributions to the quarterback position
Ryan raised standards for accuracy. He finished with a 65.4% completion rate and 69 games with over 300 passing yards. He earned the Matty Ice nickname by staying calm under pressure.
He leaned on film study and a detailed playbook to spot coverages early.
Fans saw his impact on modern pass attacks. He mixed play-action strikes with quick reads at the line. He ranked among the top QBs in passer rating, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.
He forged a path for pocket quarterbacks in the NFL.
Influence on teammates and teams
Matt used his calm voice to guide his huddle. He led the Falcons to a 33-13 mark in his first three seasons. That feat tied Dan Marino for most wins by a quarterback in his first three years since the 1970 merger.
His practice habits set a bar in the locker room. He poured over game film with coaches. Teammates learned proper mechanics from his routine.
Strong passer ratings lifted linemen and receivers. He showed rookies on the Colts how to run the playbook during the 2022 season. Staff used his notes on coverages and blitz looks.
He drew schemes on a whiteboard before every road game. His calm tone steadied Atlanta and Indianapolis in tight spots. Fans expect his poise under pressure.
Takeaways
Grab a coffee, fire up the data board, and chart Matt’s climbs on the passer rating scale, with film analysis waiting in the next section. Jump into our playbook archives and locker room talks for fresh angles on his leadership path.
Additional Information about Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan played 15 years in the NFL, mostly with the Atlanta Falcons. He holds team records for career passing yards and touchdowns. NFL stats show him as the second fastest to 50,000 passing yards in league history.
He threw with a near 70 percent completion rate and led the league in passer rating at 117.1 in 2016. Voters awarded him the league MVP that season.
Fans raised him into the Falcons Hall of Fame as a tip of the hat to his impact. Front office staff now discuss tweaks to his contract or a full restructure, as they eye his next move.
NFL stats still list him among the top in the NFC South. TV networks tap him for color analyst spots, thanks to his deep view on quarterback play.
FAQs
1. Who is Matt Ryan?
Matt Ryan is a pro quarterback. He starred at Boston College, and he hit the ground running when the Dirty Birds picked him fourth in the NFL draft. He spent most of his career with the Falcons, then moved on to the Colts.
2. Why do fans call him Matty Ice?
He earned that name for staying cool under fire. He kept a calm head in big moments, even when facing rivals like Joe Flacco, Kurt Warner or Ben Roethlisberger. His high passer rating in clutch spots proved it.
3. What are his top career milestones?
He won NFL MVP honors, and he took home Offensive Player of the Year. Early on, he bagged a Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week nod, then NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards. He piled up passing yards, passing touchdowns, broke NFL records, and shook up NFL statistics. He also drew nods to Doug Flutie and his ACC Player of the Year days at Boston College.
4. Which teams did he battle in the NFL?
He lined up against the Ravens, the Pats, the 49ers, the Eagles, the Titans and the Chiefs. He also battled the Vikes, the G Men, the Steelers, the Texans, the Rams, the Cowboys, the Bucs, the Cardinals, the Bengals, the Dolphins, the Bills and the Jets.
5. Did he reach a Super Bowl?
Yes. He led the Dirty Birds to Super Bowl LI versus the Pats. He threw for over 300 yards, but the game slipped away in overtime. It became one for the ages, and it added another chapter to Tom Brady’s legend.
6. How does he rank among great quarterbacks?
He holds his own beside Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Dan Marino, Steve Young and Kurt Warner. His career passer rating sits near the top, and his numbers stand tall in the record books.
