Falcons players discuss Matt Ryan's presence at OTAs

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May 30, 2026 - 20:19

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Falcons players discuss Matt Ryan's presence at OTAs

Atlanta Falcons president of football Matt Ryan has been spotted on each day of the team's OTAs thus far, and the players have taken notice. Ryan, who spent the first 14 years of his NFL career in Atlanta, is still adjusting to his new front office role.

As they say: once a player, always a player. And the former league MVP has made his presence felt, whether he's watching the players go through drills, or participating in them himself.

The Falcons just wrapped up their second round of OTAs and several players, including Ryan's former teammate Kyle Pitts, were asked to give their thoughts on Atlanta's president of football hanging around in Flowery Branch.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts on Matt Ryan's impact

Pitts played with Ryan during his 1,000-yard rookie season and is feeling nostalgic having his former QB back around the team's training facility.

"Man, it's a nostalgic moment," said Pitts. "It's great having Matt out here. He can still spin it like he can still play, so it's pretty cool to see.... He still talks the same. He's very rash. That won't ever change. That's Matt. But different, he's just in a different role. He's still the same person. I feel like he's wrapping me tighter under his wing from a different perspective as a front office guy now."

Falcons WR Drake London on Matt Ryan

London wasn't fortunate enough to play with Ryan, but he can sense the former MVP is "itching" to throw the ball anytime he steps onto the field.

"I know he's itching all the time, anytime he gets his hand on the ball, he wants to throw it," said London. "He wants to do something. I know he's itching, and it never leaves your body."

Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa on Matt Ryan

Tua Tagovailoa is battling with Michael Penix Jr. for the team's starting quarterback job this season. Tagovailoa said he has enjoyed chatting it up with the former Falcons QB.

"Matt's been out here every day," said Tagovailoa. "There's not a day where I haven't seen Matt out here, whether he's chopping it up with the quarterbacks, throwing, taking some throws with us, or kind of working around, just chatting with the guys. It's not every day where you get a former player and a former player of that caliber out at, you know, organization practices, let alone the organization that he's done so well for."

Falcons WR Jahan Dotson on Matt Ryan

Wide receiver Jahan Dotson was one of the team's first free agent additions under Ryan. Dotson is expected to compete for the team's No. 2 WR job this season. The former first-round pick has enjoyed seeing Ryan participate in drills.

"It's honestly pretty cool," Dotson said of Ryan's presence. "You get, you know, the legend of Atlanta to be out here and participate in throwing, catching passes from individual drills. So, you know, it's always fun. He's a great guy, real cool guy to pick his brain and just be around and learn the game from, but it's obviously, it's really cool just having him out here... Every day, anytime we need an extra arm, he's the first one up, even though we were stuck with these lefties, he's getting the righty spin for us."