==Professional career=====Atlanta Falcons=======2008 season====On August 24, Ryan was named the starting quarterback for the September 7 regular season opener against the Detroit Lions Jamie Dukes and Jim L. Mora discuss the pros and cons of naming rookie QB Matt Ryan the starter for the Falcons, becoming the first rookie quarterback to start a season for the Falcons since Michael Vick in 2001.
Il primo passaggio della carriera di Ryan fu un touchdown da 62 yard per Michael Jenkins, diventando il primo debuttante a lanciare un touchdown al suo primo passaggio da Michael Bishop dei New England Patriots nel 2000.