Atlanta Falcons

Record: (8-9), 3rd in NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Record: (8-9), 3rd in NFC South

Matt Ryan retirement press conference photo

Why the hiring of Matt Ryan is a turning point for Arthur Blank’s Falcons

Matt Ryan has returned to the Atlanta Falcons as president of football in a role created for him. This day looks very much like a pivotal moment in the franchise’s direction.

Former Falcons coaches, players: Ryan’s hiring a slam dunk

Bijan Robinson is first-team All-Pro; three other Falcons on second team

Matt is back: Falcons turn to Matt Ryan as president of football

FALCONS TRACKER

Falcons interview Matt Ryan on Friday for team’s president of football

Standings

Stats

NFC South

Full Standings

TEAM	W	L	PCT
1 PanthersPanthers	8	9	.471
2 BuccaneersBuccaneers	8	9	.471
3 FalconsFalcons	8	9	.471
4 SaintsSaints	6	11	.353

Team Leaders

Full Team Stats

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

Michael Penix Jr.

QB, #9

PASSING YARDS

1982

Bijan Robinson

RB, #7

RUSHING YARDS

1478

Kyle Pitts Sr.

TE, #8

RECEIVING YARDS

928

PHOTOS: Falcons defeat Saints to win season finale

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London attempts a catch under pressure from New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro attempts to block New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough during the second half of an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Lacale London (second from front left) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime (second from right) during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney steps out of bounds after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson shakes hands with New Orleans Saints players after the game, in which the Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints 19-17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford intercepts the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson runs for yards during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons players celebrate with cornerback Dee Alford after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (center) reacts after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford reacts with teammates after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford reacts after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford tries to avoid a tackle after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons sideline personnel cheer as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford runs with the ball after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford runs with the ball after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich fist-bumps Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. reacts after a play in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach Nate Ollie calls a play from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry rejects the ball, but Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. catches it during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris signals from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier breaks a tackle during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins attempts a pass during the first half of an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Kentavius Street sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London attempts a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons players celebrate with Falcons wide receiver Drake London (second from left) after his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (front right) attempts to tackle New Orleans Saints running back Nyheim Hines (second from left) during the first half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson rushes with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons players celebrate with Falcons wide receiver Drake London after his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson runs for yards during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (left) and Atlanta Falcons tight end Feleipe Franks (right) react after a punt block recovery during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is seen
during his team’s warm-ups ahead of the Falcons’ matchup with the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach/running game coordinator Dwayne Ledford embraces Falcons offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson during the team’s warm-ups as the Falcons prepare to face the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

More Falcons news

Falcons have completed five interviews for president of football position, including Matt Ryan

The Atlanta Falcons have interviewed four candidates for the team's new president of football operations job.

Falcons seem interested in keeping defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich

The Falcons have said when a new head coach is selected, they'll recommend to that person that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich stay with the team.

Here’s a possible timeline for Falcons hiring their new executives

Based on historical data, the Falcons could have their new executives in place by late January or early February.

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New Falcons brass should convince Blank that Penix isn’t yet ‘franchise’ QB

The first big decision for the new president of football, general manager and coach should be to contradict the owner’s opinion about the most important position on the team.

Consulting firm did not like health, structure of Falcons football operation

The Falcons' lack of success on the field was the driving force behind the firm's reviews and the conclusions to move in a new direction.

KEN SUGIURA

Arthur Blank’s mission should be to make John Harbaugh the next Falcons coach

An opportunity this golden may never come again.

Blank talks Matt Ryan’s candidacy to be Falcons’ lead football executive

There’s a real chance Matt Ryan, one of the more celebrated players in Atlanta Falcons history, is soon running their football department.

Vote: Who should the Falcons hire as their next head coach?

Vote for the candidate you think the Falcons should hire to be their next head coach.