Former MVP quarterback Matt Ryan has decided to join the CBS broadcast booth for the 2023 NFL season, which begs the question if he’s truly done playing pro football.
But while Ryan may not have plans to play in 2023, he’s keeping the door open for a return. Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Ryan said that he would return if “the stars align” and makes it a habit not to close the door on anything.
“I don’t know (what might prompt a return). This situation, all the stars would have to (align). I’ve just learned, at least during my experience in the 15 years I’ve played, to just not shut any doors. That’s really the decision behind that… I’m excited to kind of take this next step and to move forward, but at the same time, you never know what’s going to happen in this league. Anything could shake out, and so we’ll see what happens,” Ryan said.
There’s definitely a possibility that a team in the midst of a playoff race finds itself in sudden, dire need of a starting quarterback. But a 38-year-old quarterback whose best days are pretty long behind him may not be the one.
Former #Falcons and #Colts QB Matt Ryan to @SiriusXMNFL on possible return: “All the stars would have to (align). I’ve just learned, at least during my experience in the 15 years I’ve played, to just not shut any doors.”
Story: https://t.co/SIYW7316UR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 18, 2023
However, Matt Ryan wouldn’t be the first quarterback to come out of retirement to take over for a team in need.
Back in May 2017, quarterback Jay Cutler retired and joined the FOX broadcast booth. But he came out of retirement just three months later to take over as starter for the Miami Dolphins. He went 6-8 that year in what was his real final NFL season.
Will we see Matt Ryan in another NFL game?