NFL: 30 greatest seasons from players 30 and older
By Tommy Jaggi
. QB. Atlanta Falcons. Matt Ryan. 23. player. 44
NFL: 30 greatest seasons from players 30 and older: 23. Matt Ryan, 2016
Of the great quarterbacks of the past decade, Matt Ryan might be the one who receives the least amount of recognition for his accomplishments. Though he, unfortunately, hasn’t gotten the chance to hoist the Lombardy Trophy, Ryan was dangerously close to doing that back in 2016 when the Atlanta Falcons held a massive 21-3 half-time lead over the New England Patriots. Of course, we know how that tale ends.
Ryan came out firing from the gate for the Falcons. Though his statistical production was less than stellar during his rookie year in 2008, he would lead his team to five straight winning seasons to begin his career. As productive as he was during this time, his best season didn’t come until he was 31-years-old.
Under the direction of offensive mastermind, Kyle Shanahan, Ryan was nearly unstoppable in 2016. He earned nearly 5,000 passing yards to go with 38 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Meanwhile, his touchdown percentage, yards per attempt, yards per completion, and QBR were all first in the league, according to Pro Football Reference.
At age 31, Ryan earned first-team All-Pro honors and was awarded the league’s Most Valuable Player. He nearly added a Super Bowl MVP to his impressive season if Tom Brady and Julain Edelman didn’t get in the way.