When a door closes, a window opens.
It's not uncommon for NFL players to keep lines open to the league, and Matt Ryan is among those who is seemingly doing so.
The former league MVP recently announced that he was joining CBS as an analyst, doing some work in the studio as well as in the broadcast booth in 2023. This would seemingly signify that his playing days are over, but Ryan set the record straight on his standing on a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
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"All the stars would have to [align]. I’ve just learned… in the 15 years I’ve played, to not shut any doors"
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) May 17, 2023
Matt Ryan talked to us about joining @NFLonCBS and whether he could return to the field next season. @M_Ryan02 | @RichGannon12 | @BruceMurrayNFL pic.twitter.com/ZYLUxJYlnv
"You never know. I try and keep all doors open. We all know this league is crazy, and there's a lot of things that can happen in the course of the season," Ryan said.
And as far as what it would take for him to return?
"The situation — all the stars would have to align," he said. "I've just learned — at least during my experience in the 15 years I've played — to just not shut any doors. That's really the decision behind that. Like I said, I'm excited to take this next step and move forward, but at the same time, you never know what's gonna happen in this league."
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At the time of his announcement, Ryan did make it clear that his move to the broadcast booth wasn't a message of retirement, so he's simply reinforcing what he tweeted.
Excited to join the @NFLonCBS family! Looking forward to breaking down the game this season.
— Matt Ryan (@M_Ryan02) May 15, 2023
P.S. - this is not a retirement post 😉 pic.twitter.com/4fCTVpFxK0
Ryan spent 2022 with the Colts after spending the first 14 years of his career with the Falcons, where he won an MVP and played in a Super Bowl.
Ryan, who turned 38 Wednesday, isn't the first player to completely shut a door on returning to the field after a full or quasi-retirement. Philip Rivers has entertained calls following his retirement, as has Ben Roethlisberger.
That said, once a quarterback enters the cushy chairs of the broadcast booth, he seldom leaves it. (Maybe that's why Tom Brady is taking his time.)