The Atlanta Falcons are shaking things up after another disappointing season. After missing the playoffs again in 2025, the team fired head coach Raheem Morris and revealed that a familiar face is returning to the team in a front office role.
Matt Ryan, who had been working as an analyst with CBS, is now the team’s president of football operations. On Tuesday, team owner Arthur Blank detailed what Ryan’s new role will entail.
Arthur Blank Clarifies Matt Ryan’s Role with Team
Ryan quarterbacked the Falcons from 2008 to 2021. The Boston College product led the team to the playoffs six times, including an appearance in Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots.
Since retiring, Ryan has called games for CBS. However, the franchise legend announced he would step away from CBS to take on this new role with the Falcons.
On Tuesday, Blank held a press conference with Ryan. The longtime owner said Ryan will be “responsible for everything between football & the grass,” and will lead the search for a new general manager and head coach.
Falcons president of football Matt Ryan will be “responsible for everything between football & the grass,” owner Arthur Blank said.
Ryan is leading Falcons head coach & general manager searches – 1st big decision.
Ryan makes clear he won’t lead scouting, coach or play. pic.twitter.com/bOQCYu6QsX
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 13, 2026
Ryan also clarified that he won’t lead scouting or pick the assistant coaches, and the general manager role will be “exactly the same as it’s been here before.”
Blank mentioned that Ryan “did not sign up” to do the job of a coach or general manager, and the former quarterback’s role will consist of “servant leadership.” Some general manager candidates may have been hesitant to accept this job with Ryan’s new role, but this presser should dispel any of those concerns.
Ryan Has Big Task to Turn Falcons Around
After news of Ryan’s new gig was revealed, the former quarterback explained that the goal is to get back to contention soon.
“That’s the vision for where we want to be: we want to be in the mix, in the playoffs. It’s been too long,” Ryan said on CBS.
Only the New York Jets have a longer active playoff drought than the Falcons. The team has not made the postseason since the 2017 season and has not had a winning record since that season.
Now, the team is starting over with a new leadership group. Raheem Morris was fired after going 8-9 in both of his seasons as the head coach, and general manager Terry Fontenot was fired after five seasons as the general manager.
