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Matt Ryan arrived in the NFL on the back of a strong 3-year spell with Boston College. He led the Eagles football team to 3 bowl victories and a 25–7 record in 32 starts.

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The Philadelphia-born athlete was selected as the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He signed for Atlanta Falcons. Ryan concluded his rookie year with an impressive 11-5 record, throwing for 3,440 yards and 16 passing TDs. He was also voted Offensive ROTY.

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After winning his maiden NFL MVP title in 2016, Matt led the Falcons to Super Bowl LII. They suffered a 34-28 loss at the hands of the New England Patriots at the NRG Stadium in Texas.

He has been an ever-present asset for Atlanta over the last 13 years. But is it time for both parties involved to close this chapter?

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Matt Ryan might be playing his last season in the NFL this year

It’s never easy to watch your favorite quarterback age and lose that natural reflex that he was once famous for. Matt Ryan’s fanbase must be going through an agonizing and slow death at the moment. Ryan concluded the 2020 NFL season with 4,581 passing yards, 26 passing TDs, and 11 interceptions.

That being said, Ryan has also thrown for 4,000+ yards for every consecutive season since 2011. In 205 starts, Ryan has 55,767 passing yards and 367 passing TDs to his name. This is a number that not many quarterbacks achieve during the entirety of their NFL careers.

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Still just 35, Matt Ryan has proven himself on multiple occasions across his illustrious career. But 2021 might be the ‘Last Dance’ for the four-time Pro Bowler. The Falcons finished last in their division with a 4-12 record. They failed to make the playoffs.

But they do possess the 4th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Now, GM Terry Fontenot has an important discussion to make in the coming days with respect to the future of the franchise, and also the legacy of loyal franchise servant Matt Ryan.

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The Atlanta-based organization have a host of young quarterbacks to choose from. The likes of Justin Fields (Ohio State Buckeyes), Trey Lance (NDSU), Kyle Trask (Florida Gators), and even Mac Jones (University of Alabama) are expected to be available at #4.

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The Falcons may also opt to stick with Ryan for another year and draft someone like DeVonta Smith, or Kyle Pitts. But either way, Matt’s had one hell of a career in the NFL. What’s your favorite Matt Ryan moment? Tell us in the comments section below.

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Written by

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Daniel Arambur

1,984 Articles

Daniel Arambur is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, bringing close to a decade of experience across sports media, digital strategy, and editorial operations. He covers trade rumors, game-day matchups, and long-form NBA features, with a particular knack for spotlighting underdog narratives and momentum-shifting storylines. A journalism graduate with a postgraduate certificate in Strategic Marketing and Communications from Conestoga College, Ontario, Daniel blends statistical context with sharp, opinion-led analysis.

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