Matt Ryan used his unofficial retirement year to set up his broadcasting career.
And now that he’s officially retired, Ryan is being thrust into the media spotlight.
Ryan will join the “The NFL Today” show this upcoming season after the network shockingly moved on from former New York quarterbacks Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms.
J.J. Watt will be the other fresh face to join James Brown, Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher.
“I grew up watching THE NFL TODAY so I’m honored to join this iconic show and hope to continue the high standard set by Phil, Boomer and others before me,” Ryan said in a statement. “I am thankful for this exciting new opportunity and can’t wait to get started with my new teammates.”
Ryan also tweeted Monday morning: “Excited to join @JBsportscaster,@nateburleson, @CowherCBS and @JJWatt on THE NFL TODAY! @NFLonCBS.”
This is a quick ascension for Ryan, 38, who only announced April 22 that he officially had retired after not playing during the 2023 campaign.
Ryan endured the worst season of his career in 2022 with the Colts, throwing 14 touchdowns to 13 interceptions, which led the Colts to release him.
However, since he was still owed $12 million, Ryan did not officially retire, and opted to use his down time to join CBS for the 2023 season.
He even clearly stated he was not retiring in an announcement last May.
“Excited to join the @NFLonCBS family! Looking forward to breaking down the game this season,” Ryan posted. “P.S. – this is not a retirement post 😉.”
Ryan debuted during last year’s Buccaneers-Vikings opener in Minnesota, which included a “28-3” dig during Tampa Bay’s victory in reference to the Falcons’ collapse against the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
The former MVP clearly enjoyed his work, even saying he did not have eyes on the Jets’ starting quarterback job while they played carousel at the quarterback position last year.
He primarily called games with Tiki Barber and Andrew Catalon.
Ryan did acknowledge his agent looked into certain situations, but nothing got him out of the booth and back onto the field.
“I’m really enjoying what I’m doing working with Andrew, Tiki and A.J. [Ross],” Ryan said last September. “They’re been fun to work with.”
The Boston College product’s work impressed his CBS bosses enough that he will now have a prominent position on their gameday show moving forward.
“Matt had an outstanding first year at CBS Sports, excelling as both a studio and game analyst,” CBS Sports president David Berson said in a statement. “He is the consummate team player and a Hall of Fame person. We love the chemistry he has with the studio crew and we’re excited to see him entertain NFL fans and share his passion, insight and perspective alongside JB, Nate, Coach and JJ.”
Pat McAfee joked about the situation on his show Monday, while seemingly referencing how some viewed the associated cuts that came with him joining ESPN.
“Matt Ryan, after he retired from the Colts, he would go on to kill Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms,” McAfee said during an segment with ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “Him and J.J. just took them off TV. I think that’s how it works, the way that it works, they did that.”
