Matt Ryan Reflects on Comeback Thoughts Amid Philip Rivers’ Return - But Says the NFL Door Is Closed
With Philip Rivers back under center after signing with the Colts earlier this week-filling in after Daniel Jones’ injury-the conversation around veteran quarterbacks making a return to the league is heating up again. And naturally, that spotlight found Matt Ryan.
The former NFL MVP and longtime Falcons quarterback didn’t shy away from the topic. While he made it clear that a comeback isn’t in the cards, Ryan admitted that the idea did cross his mind-especially after seeing Rivers, now 44 and a grandfather, suit up once again.
Speaking on The NFL Today on CBS, Ryan opened up about the internal tug-of-war that many former players feel when watching games from the sidelines.
"I've had these feelings where I've been sitting and watching games ... man, I think I could go out there and do it."
It’s a sentiment that’s hard to shake for guys who’ve spent decades in the huddle. But Ryan, now 40, was quick to balance that emotion with a dose of reality. He acknowledged that he’s simply not in playing shape anymore-his throwing routine and physical conditioning aren’t where they once were.
"I'm 40 now, so it's a little bit different. You gotta take care of your body... my training on the throwing and that space isn't what it was when I was a player."
That insight came with a story that really drove the point home. Ryan recalled a training session with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford that reminded him just how far removed he is from the day-to-day grind of being an NFL starter. While the competitive fire still flickers, the body tells a different story.
And despite Rivers’ inspiring return, Ryan isn’t actively chasing his own comeback. In a conversation with NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Ryan said plainly that the door is closed on his playing career.
He hasn’t received a single call about starting opportunities in over two years-and frankly, he seems at peace with that. These days, he’s channeling his football IQ into his work as an analyst for CBS, where he’s quickly carved out a respected presence.
Still, it’s hard not to wonder. Rivers, who last played in 2020 and had been out of football for five years, gave the Colts a fighting chance on short notice against a tough Seattle defense.
He even had them in position to win-though a late-game interception sealed the loss. For a guy who had just three practices under his belt, it was a gutsy performance.
Ryan’s last NFL action came in 2022, when he started 12 games for the Colts. That season didn’t end the way he-or the team-hoped.
He finished with a 4-7-1 record and was eventually benched in favor of Sam Ehlinger. It was clear then that Ryan was no longer the same quarterback who once led Atlanta to a Super Bowl appearance.
And after three seasons in the broadcast booth, it’s hard to imagine he could suddenly flip the switch and reignite an offense.
Rivers, of course, had a different ending to his career. He led the Colts to the playoffs in 2020 and even flirted with a return in 2023 when the 49ers were dealing with quarterback injuries. That kind of late-career resurgence is rare, and Ryan knows it.
There’s a part of him that clearly misses the game-the rhythm, the competition, the locker room. But for now, Matt Ryan seems content breaking down plays rather than executing them. While the NFL world loves a comeback story, this one’s likely staying in the “what if” category.