One-time MVP Matt Ryan will be an NFL analyst on CBS Sports this upcoming season - but the quarterback insists he is not retiring from the sport.
Ryan, 37, was released by the Indianapolis Colts in mid-March after spending a single season at Lucas Oil Stadium and remains a free agent ahead of the upcoming season. Before that, the former third overall pick was with the Atlanta Falcons for 14 years until they traded him in exchange for a third-round pick before the 2022 draft.
In moving into the media, Ryan will rival Tom Brady, who signed the most lucrative contract in sports broadcasting history when joining Fox Sports last May. Brady's deal is reportedly a 10-year, $375 million agreement.
But while Brady will not start work as Fox's lead analyst until the 2024 season, Ryan will begin his role when the 2023 season starts in September. "Excited to join the NFL on CBS family! Looking forward to breaking down the game this season," he tweeted after the announcement.
"P.S. - this is not a retirement post," the free agent added, accompanied by a winking face emoji. The CBS press release also carries additional comments.
"It is truly an honor to join this exceptional team at CBS Sports," said Ryan. "I have been blessed to have incredible teammates throughout my career and I am fortunate that will continue here working with and learning from the very best in the industry."
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As well as having incredible teammates over his years in the league, Ryan also had the misfortune of running into Brady and the New England Patriots at Super Bowl LI. In Houston, Texas, the Falcons quarterback helped Atlanta take a 28-3 lead with 8:31 remaining in the third quarter.
However, they contrived to give up that advantage as the Pats kept them scoreless for the remainder of the game, tying it up at 28-28 and forcing overtime for the first time in the Super Bowl era. New England then inevitably prevailed 34-28.
Neither the franchise nor Ryan has returned to the Super Bowl in the six years since. For the player, this move surely signals the beginning of the end.
Brady only played on for another year after signing with Fox. Plus, that was without even working as an analyst for them. How Ryan juggles potentially playing, if he is signed by another team during this offseason, and calling games remains to be seen.
CBS confirmed in their press release that their new addition would work as a studio and game analyst across various platforms. It adds that Ryan will be calling games too.
"The NFL Today," "The Other Pregame Show (TOPS)," "NFL Monday QB," and CBS Sports HQ are some of the shows he will feature on. CBS Sports executive producer and executive vice president of production Harold Bryant added that they are "thrilled" to have Ryan on board.
