Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan, who was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2016, is embarking on a new chapter in his career, one that won’t involve stepping onto the field.
After being released by the Colts in March following a single season in Indianapolis, Ryan has made an exciting move to join CBS Sports as an NFL analyst, as announced by the network on Monday.
At 38 years old, Ryan will bring his wealth of experience to CBS Sports, where he will assume the role of an NFL analyst across various platforms, including studio analysis and game coverage. This transition not only marks an exciting opportunity for Ryan but also signifies a shift away from his on-field endeavors.
The decision to part ways with the Colts allowed the team to create a significant $17 million in cap space. However, it’s worth noting that Ryan is still owed $12 million, tied to his 2023 base salary. Retirement could potentially impact his entitlement to these remaining payments, adding an interesting aspect to his career transition.
Having completed an impressive 15 seasons in the NFL, Ryan now faces an uncertain future following a challenging 2022 campaign with the Colts. Throughout the season, he experienced struggles, including being benched on two occasions and grappling with turnovers. Ryan’s 15 fumbles last season marked a career high and the second-highest in the NFL. Additionally, he threw 13 interceptions. Despite these difficulties, Ryan has expressed his continued passion for the game and left the door open to the possibility of playing again, emphasizing that he believes there is still plenty of good football left in him.
Prior to his tenure with the Colts, Matt Ryan spent an impressive 14 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, during which he established himself as a franchise legend. Holding numerous key passing records for the team, Ryan is the Falcons’ all-time leader in passing yards (59,735), touchdown passes (367), and completions (5,242). His achievements also extend to the broader NFL landscape, as he ranks in the top 10 for career passing yards (seventh, 62,792) and touchdown passes (ninth, 381). This remarkable body of work further adds to the significance of his career transition and his new role as an NFL analyst with CBS Sports
