Matt Ryan – Atlanta’s new football president of the franchise is showing up in a role few expect: throwing and catching passes with the offense during OTAs, including alongside receiver Jahan Dotson.
The first thing wide receiver Jahan Dotson noticed when he joined the Falcons in free agency wasn’t a playbook update or a new position coach—it was Matt Ryan, showing up as another arm during OTAs and taking part in the kind of drills that usually stay reserved for coaches and quarterbacks.
Ryan. the Falcons’ new president of football operations and the primary football executive with the team. is taking an unusually active role as the franchise tries to steady itself. He ranks just above new general manager Ian Cunningham in the team’s front-office structure. and during offseason workouts. he’s stepping in to help the offense directly—throwing to receivers during team practice periods. according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN.
Dotson said he honestly had “no idea” he would be catching balls from Ryan.
“It is honestly pretty cool. You get the legend of Atlanta to be out here and participating, throwing, catching passes from him, individual drills. So, it’s always fun. He’s a great guy. Real cool guy to pick his brain and just be around and learn the game from,” Dotson said.
For the Falcons. the stakes are obvious even if the detail is small: Atlanta missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record. tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NFC South-winning Carolina Panthers. The division is expected to be wide open again this fall. and with so much on the line. the franchise is looking for every edge it can build right now.
Ryan’s involvement isn’t just about getting extra reps. It’s also about adding a veteran’s feel to a quarterback battle that’s already taking shape in Atlanta’s building.
The Falcons have four quarterbacks on their 90-man roster: Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Siemian, and Jack Strand. Penix and Tagovailoa are set to have a competitive quarterback battle in training camp. Penix. a 2024 first-round pick. is coming off an ACL injury and has not been cleared for team drills. but he has been throwing during 7-on-7 drills.
As the battle develops. Ryan’s presence becomes another piece of the puzzle—especially for a team aiming to move past last season and into a more competitive offseason. While Ryan won’t be making the throws that decide whether Atlanta returns to the postseason. his knowledge is being used to guide the team through the process.
That’s something new head coach Kevin Stefanski pointed to when he spoke about what Ryan brings to the Falcons. Stefanski said Ryan helps “every day” and added that Ryan’s history with the city and the building matters.
“Obviously, he helps me every day, helps our players,” Stefanski said. “I think it’s such a unique history, both in the city and this building. He sat in those chairs where those guys sat. So. I think that’s really special when he can get in front of them and give them his perspective of things because it’s not many people that can do that. like Matt [has] been at the pinnacle of this profession and now is in a role where he’s helping guide this franchise.”.
Across OTAs and into training camp preparation. it’s a message the Falcons are sending in real time: the turnaround isn’t only happening in meetings. It’s happening on the practice field. with Ryan—fresh off the sidelines and into the quarterback conversation—throwing passes as Atlanta tries to make sure next fall’s chase doesn’t slip away again.
Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan OTAs Jahan Dotson Kevin Stefanski quarterback battle Michael Penix Jr. Tua Tagovailoa Trevor Siemian Jack Strand NFC South
So Ryan’s basically coaching now? lol
That’s actually kinda wild, like why is the front office dude throwing passes too. I saw Dotson say he didn’t know, so maybe they’re just panicking trying to fix the offense.
Wait “football president” means he picks the plays?? I thought GM did all that. Also 8-9 ain’t even that bad, they’ll still win the division if the defense shows up. OTAs don’t matter though… unless it does?
I love how everyone talks about “veteran feel” like that automatically fixes everything. Ryan throwing to Dotson is cool, but it’s not like the playoffs are decided in OTAs. Next thing you know they’ll be like “Ryan fixed the QB battle” and then everybody forgets the O line exists.