Matt Ryan, who played as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback for 14 seasons after being drafted third overall in 2008, has taken on a new role as the team’s president of football. During his time as a player, Ryan led the team to six playoff appearances and was part of their Super Bowl run in 2016. He was inducted into the Falcons’ Ring of Honor following his retirement.
The Falcons hope that Michael Penix Jr., selected eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, will become their next franchise quarterback. Team owner Arthur Blank recently confirmed this expectation.
Ryan’s appointment as president of football is seen as a move that could support Penix’s development with the organization. “I’m not hired to come in and be the quarterback coach, but I love Mike and have gotten to know him through the last couple of years here in Atlanta,” Ryan said. “So, anything he needs from me, I’m a part of this organization and happy to help in any way that I can.”
Last year, Ryan began mentoring Penix after then-head coach Raheem Morris announced Penix would start at quarterback for Atlanta beginning in 2025. This decision came after Penix started the final three games of the 2024 season.
Initially, Kirk Cousins was signed as a free agent to be Atlanta’s starting quarterback for at least one or two seasons while Penix developed behind him. However, Cousins was benched during Week 16 due to performance issues, which accelerated Penix’s timeline as starter.
In those three starts at the end of his rookie year, Penix recorded one win and two losses. He completed 58% of his passes for an average of nearly 246 yards per game and had three touchdowns alongside three interceptions.
During last season, Penix posted a record of three wins and six losses before suffering a knee injury that ended his season during an overtime loss against Carolina Panthers in Week 11. He underwent surgery for a partially torn ACL late in November. Owner Arthur Blank commented on Penix’s recovery: “The surgeon felt 1,000% secure in the medical procedure they went through, and they really felt his knee was going to be even better than it was before,” Blank said. “He’s on a successful rehab program. He’s back in Atlanta. He’s committed mentally. Physically, he feels good.”
Before his injury last season, Penix completed just over 60% of his passes with an average of about 220 yards per game; he threw nine touchdowns against three interceptions.
“The next thing in front of Mike is the rehab process, and he’s already at it,” Ryan said. “I was in here (Monday) morning … and he was in there getting after his rehab. So he’s in a good mental space right there and is doing exactly what he should be doing right now.”
The new NFL league year begins March 11; teams with new head coaches—including Atlanta—can begin offseason workouts April 6 ahead of training camps starting mid-July.
A specific date for when Penix will return has not been shared by team officials.
“It’s working together to figure out the right plan for Mike and his rehab,” Ryan said. “And that’s going to be our training rooms’ job and our doctors’ jobs and sports science and in the weight room. Everybody’s responsibility to make sure that is going as planned. And that’s really as simple as it gets.”
The Falcons are based in Atlanta, Georgia according to their official website. They compete within the NFC South division in the NFL since joining as an expansion team in 1965 per official records. The franchise reached its only Super Bowls during its history—in both 1998 and again during Matt Ryan’s tenure leading up to their appearance following the 2016 season as detailed by team sources.
