Matt Thomas Ryan is a former American quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the team primarily for the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Indianapolis Colts for the last couple of years. He was initially drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third pick of the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He led his college team at Boston College to three bowl victories and set records, becoming the third all-time in passing yards and pass completions.
In the NFL, Ryan made a name for himself with his numerous franchise records (for the Falcons) and awards. He has been named to four Pro Bowl selections and has won the Most Valuable Player (2016), Offensive Player of the Year (2016), and many more. He made his first Super Bowl appearance during Super Bowl LI, however, the team lost to the New England Patriots. After 14 successful seasons with the Falcons, Matt Ryan was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2022.
On April 22, 2024, Matt Ryan officially retired from the NFL after signing one last contract with the Falcons for a duration of one day so that he could retire with the team that made his career. It goes without saying, but there are no details of his last contract since it was just a formality of sorts.
Matt Ryan’s Contract
Matt Ryan had become the first NFL player ever to sign a contract worth more than $30 million annually. He signed a 5-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons in 2018 worth $150 million of which $100 million was guaranteed.
His contract was one of the most complicated contracts in the NFL as it went through a number of restructures while he was still with the Falcons. His initial contract guaranteed him $94.5 million at the time of signing. Throughout his restructures a lot of Matt Ryan’s salary was converted to a signing bonus in order to free salary cap space for the Falcons. By the 2020 NFL season, the Falcons had $9.3 million per year in prorated signing bonuses, $2 million per year in prorated option bonuses, and $6.6 million per year in prorated restructure payments for Ryan. In his last season with the Falcons, $21 million of salary was converted to a bonus.
When Matt Ryan got traded to the Indianapolis Colts, they kept the deal he had with the Falcons. The Falcons had to take up around $40.5 million in dead money charges. The Indianapolis Colts had to pay Matt Ryan a total of $50 million in his two years with them. The below table shows the last actual contract he signed with the Falcons in 2018.
| Contract (originally signed with the Falcons) | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 5 yr(s) / $150,000,000 | $46,500,000 | $30,000,000 | $94,500,000 | $100,000,000 |
Matt Ryan’s Contract Breakdown
The former Falcons signal caller signed a five-year deal with the Falcons in 2018 worth $150 million. The breakup of his last contract in the NFL is as follows:
| Team | Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Roster Bonus | Restructure | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| Falcons | 2018 | $6,000,000 | $9.3 M | - | $96,900,000 | $29,250,000 | |
| Falcons | 2019 | $2,750,000 | $9.3 M | - | $1,750,000 | $79,200,000 | $74,014,610 |
| Falcons | 2020 | $1,050,000 | $9.3 M | - | $6,612,500 | $75,850,000 | $94,514,610 |
| Falcons | 2021 | $23,000,000 | $9.3 M | - | $13,612,500 | $67,437,500 | $117,514,610 |
| Colts | 2022 | $5,205,882 | - | $7,500,000 | $6,000,000 | $24,705,882 | $24,705,882 ($142,255,706) |
| Colts | 2023 | $21,705,882 | - | $7,500,000 | $6,000,000 | $35,205,882 | $29,205,882 ($171,461,588) |
What are the terms of Matt Ryan’s contract?
Matt Ryan signed a 5 year, $150,000,000 contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2018 which included a $46,500,000 signing bonus, $100,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $30,000,000.
He joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 and they restructured Ryan’s existing Falcons contract.
Matt Ryan’s Contract History
Prior to Ryan's contract signed in 2018, he had signed two previous contracts, both with the Falcons. He signed his rookie contract in 2008 for six years and then signed his first extension in 2013 for another 5 years.
| Year | Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 2008 - 2013 | 6 yr(s) / $67,500,000 | $7,450,000 | $11,250,000 | - | $34,750,000 |
| 2013 - 2018 | 5 yr(s) / $103,750,000 | $28,000,000 | $20,750,000 | $30,000,000 | $42,000,000 |
What was Matt Ryan’s highest contract?
The contract extension Ryan signed on May 3rd, 2018 with the Atlanta Falcons for a whopping $150 million is the highest contract the quarterback has signed. When he signed the contract it made him the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history at the time.
What is Matt Ryan’s Salary?
The Pennsylvania native earned an average annual income of $30 million as per the terms of his current contract with the Colts. He was one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
What is Matt Ryan’s Net Worth?
Matt Ryan’s illustrious career playing professional quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL has earned him a net worth of approximately $70 million as per Celebrity Net Worth.
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FAQs
Q. How many years did Matt Ryan play in the NFL?
A. Ryan played a total of 15 years in the NFL although he spent the vast majority of his career with the Atlanta Falcons.
A. Ryan played a total of 15 years in the NFL although he spent the vast majority of his career with the Atlanta Falcons.
Q. When was Matt Ryan drafted?
A. Ryan was drafted in the first-round with the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
A. Ryan was drafted in the first-round with the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Q. Which teams did Matt Ryan play for?
A. Matt Ryan played for only two teams in his career - the Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts.
A. Matt Ryan played for only two teams in his career - the Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts.
Q. Did Matt Ryan win the NFL MVP?
A. Matt Ryan won the NFL MVP once in 2016.
A. Matt Ryan won the NFL MVP once in 2016.
Q. Which college did Matt Ryan attend?
A. Matt Ryan attended Boston College and played on the Boston College Eagles football team.
A. Matt Ryan attended Boston College and played on the Boston College Eagles football team.
