The Atlanta Falcons appear set to bring back a franchise icon.
Matt Ryan is expected to be hired as the Falcons’ president of football operations following their decision to fire general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris, ESPN and NFL Media reported Monday. FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer first reported in December that the Falcons and Ryan were discussing a potential move to bring back their former quarterback in a front office role.
In announcing the firings of Fontenot and Morris, Falcons owner Arthur Blank stated that the team would create a new position titled president of football operations.
“The leader in this new role will set the vision and identity for our team,” Blank said. “Our new head coach and general manager will report to the new president of football, and they will work collaboratively as a football leadership team on all football decisions. Final decision-making authority will rest with the president of football. This leader will also work in collaboration with the club’s president and CEO to ensure the team’s football and business operations are appropriately aligned with unified organizational goals to deliver success on the field and in all areas of engaging Falcons fans. The new president of football will report directly to me.
“We plan to move quickly on this hire so the new president of football can be fully involved in the selection of our new leaders in the head coach and general manager roles.”
Matt Ryan in Talks to Move into High-Profile Front Office Position with Falcons
If Ryan’s hired, he’ll be expected to help bring the team he once quarterbacked to the same success they had during his playing days following several down seasons. The Falcons haven’t made the playoffs since 2017, posting a losing record in all five seasons that Fontenot was general manager. Morris was the head coach for Fontenot’s final two seasons at the helm.
Ryan, who currently works as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports, quarterbacked the Falcons to their best stretch of play in franchise history. He led the Falcons to the playoffs in six of his 14 seasons with the team (2008-21). Ryan also nearly led Atlanta to its first Super Bowl title in franchise history, helping the Falcons reach the Super Bowl in 2016. But the Falcons memorably blew a 25-point lead to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, putting a damper on Ryan’s MVP season.
Ryan also holds several franchise records, like most passing yards and touchdowns. He left the organization following the 2021 season on a bit of a rocky note, requesting a trade following the team’s failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson in the 2022 offseason. He was traded to the Indianapolis Colts that same offseason.
The Falcons and Ryan were able to make amends not long after, though. After spending one season with the Colts, Ryan signed a one-day contract with the Falcons in April 2024 and was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor later that year.
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