As expected, Matt Ryan is returning to the Atlanta Falcons. He is giving up his job as an expert at CBS to take up his new position.

The Atlanta Falcons have made it official. Matt Ryan is taking over as president of football for the NFC South franchise. The former star quarterback will start work immediately and will be responsible for all football matters, according to the announcement. Ryan will work closely with owner Arthur Blank and president/CEO Greg Beadles. He will lead the search for a new head coach and general manager. The team is looking for successors to the dismissed Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot. “During his remarkable 14-year career in Atlanta, Matt’s leadership skills, attention to detail, understanding of the game, and unyielding will to win made him the most successful player in our franchise’s history,” Blank is quoted as saying.

Ryan returns to Falcons: “Opportunity of a lifetime”

Ryan, who is said to have given his commitment on Saturday morning, emphasized: “Arthur gave me the opportunity of a lifetime almost 20 years ago, and today he has done it again.” He has always remained a Falcon, even though the 40-year-old added another season with the Indianapolis Colts after 14 years in Atlanta and most recently worked for the TV station “CBS” for three years. He is giving up this job, meaning that “Matty Ice” is not following Tom Brady’s example. The “GOAT” is currently not only a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, but also an NFL game analyst for the TV network “Fox.” In a ‘CBS’ statement, Ryan is quoted as saying: “I want to thank everyone at the incredible team at CBS Sports. I loved my three years there and was truly grateful for the support.” He said he made friends for life there. NFL insider Tom Pelissero wrote that Ryan’s new role is by no means a side job. Rather, the 2016 MVP will be a voice as powerful as John Elway was for over a decade with the Denver Broncos.

The two-time Super Bowl champion served as general manager for the Colorado franchise for ten years starting in 2011 and as executive vice president of football operations for eleven years, followed by a year as an external consultant.

Matt Ryan on job with Falcons: “Excited and honored”

The Falcons conducted a total of five interviews before choosing Ryan, who was considered the favorite. He beat out Mike Disner, chief operating officer of the Detroit Lions; Brandt Tilis, executive vice president of football operations for the Carolina Panthers; Josh Williams, director of scouting and football for the San Francisco 49ers; and Ian Cunningham, assistant general manager of the Chicago Bears.

Ryan’s message to the franchise is: “It’s a great feeling to be back home. I am incredibly excited, grateful, and honored. I started my career with a single goal: to do right by the Blank family, the Falcons organization, the city of Atlanta, and most importantly, our fans. My commitment to the success of this team remains unwavering. I am more than ready to help write a new chapter of success.”

In his 14 years, Ryan led the Falcons to the playoffs six times. His triumphant march to Super Bowl LI remains unforgettable, but ended in historic defeat. Atlanta led the New England Patriots 28-3 in the third quarter before Brady & Co. staged an unprecedented comeback, sending the game into overtime and ultimately sending the Falcons home with a 28-34 loss.