Matt Ryan Draws Stefanski Praise During Falcons OTAs

Matt Ryan is back around the Falcons in a way that goes beyond a quick visit. Kevin Stefanski called him a "tremendous resource" on Monday afternoon as the team moved into its third week of OTAs, and Ryan has been spotted throwing during drills at offseason workouts.

Stefanski On Ryan's Role

"I think Matt has done a terrific job just in terms of helping a bunch of different departments if you will," Stefanski said at a press conference ahead of the Falcons' third week of OTAs. He added that Ryan's role is "unique" because he can help coaches, players and the front office, and that his perspective comes from having been here as a player with great success in the organization.

Stefanski said Ryan is touching "all aspects of this building." That is the clearest sign of how the Falcons are using him now: not as a ceremonial face, but as someone who can work across the people running the team and the players trying to improve on the field.

Kyle Pitts Sees Matt Ryan

Kyle Pitts had already described the reunion last week as "a nostalgic moment" when he saw Ryan at Falcons workouts. Pitts also said, "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."

Pitts said Ryan is in a different role now as a front office guy and added that he feels like Ryan is "wrapping me tighter under his wing from a different perspective." That comment tracks with the way Ryan has shown up around the team during offseason work, including throwing during drills while helping in a broader capacity.

Falcons Workouts And Ryan

The timing matters because this came during OTAs, when the Falcons are putting their offseason work in motion and Ryan's presence is being felt in more than one room. He is described in the team context as the Falcons president and a former league MVP, which gives his advice a weight younger players and staff can lean on without changing the fact that his role has moved on from the huddle.

For the Falcons, the immediate takeaway is simple: Ryan is not just around the building, he is active in it. Players have noticed him, the coaching staff is using him, and the front office is part of the same conversation as the team works through the third week of OTAs.