Atlanta Falcons: Is Matt Ryan a Future Hall-of-Fame Player?
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Falcons are in the midst of one of their best seasons in franchise history. If they can finish will it cement quarterback Matt Ryan as a Hall of Fame player?
The Atlanta Falcons are in Houston and less than a week away from facing the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl and no player’s legacy will be more impacted by the game then Matt Ryan’s. A win in the Super Bowl would solidify Matt Ryan as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and put him into the Hall of Fame discussion.
While that may seem a bit reactionary winning championships matters more than anything in the league now. An example of this would be Eli Manning, Manning has struggled over the past few years but due to his playoff history and two rings will more than likely be a Hall of Fame player.
Matt Ryan entered the year with an unimpressive 1-4 playoff record and has never appeared in a Super Bowl. While all of that may not be his fault there is no denying the fact that Ryan’s reputation has taken a hit considering the city he plays for and the success he hadn’t found. All of the sudden Ryan has a chance to flip the narrative. His playoff record currently sits at 3-4, he will have a chance to even it out if he can win a ring this Sunday against the Patriots.
Add in the fact that Ryan is the likely MVP and all of the sudden an MVP and a ring will solidify Ryan as a Hall of Fame quarterback. While this may seem surprising at thirty-one years of age Ryan already ranks among the top quarterbacks statically.
Matt Ryan currently ranks 21st in all-time passing yards, there are only seven active quarterbacks who have more yardage then Ryan. Tom Brady (39), Drew Brees (38), Phillip Rivers (35), Ben Roethlisberger (34),Eli Manning (36) and Carson Palmer (37) five of the six should be first ballot Hall of Famers and all are on the back end of their careers while Matt Ryan seems to be entering his prime.
Ryan should continue to move up the charts and while it is unlikely that he will top Tom Brady or Peyton Manning’s records it is very probable he will end his career in the top ten passers of all-time. This alone helps Ryan’s case. Add in a Super Bowl ring and an MVP award and Ryan will have an airtight case as a Hall-of-Fame quarterback.
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Ryan ranks 18th all-time in passes completed with only the same six active quarterbacks ranking ahead of Ryan. If Ryan wants to be considered truly elite and cement his case as a future Hall of Fame quarterback he has to finish the year out and play at the level he has all season against the Patriots on Sunday and finish.