Atlanta Falcons: 3 Reasons Matt Ryan should consider retirement

2. How much more punishment can Matt Ryan’s body take before his career is altered by injuries?

One very underreported story throughout Matt Ryan’s career has been the level of punishment he has taken without missing any time of note. Ryan is an iron man who has been asked to take far too many hits for a franchise that has been unable to consistently protect its franchise cornerstone.

That same issue was on full display this season as the thirty-six-year-old Ryan led the league in quarterback hits. The fact that Ryan didn’t miss a start his season is a miracle and speaks to the veteran’s toughness.

With age, however, the hits get harder to take and the injury risks go up. Behind the worst offensive line, he has had in his career with the worst receiving group no one could blame Ryan if he doesn’t want to return next season.

He has long elevated a franchise that has been unable to support him with any consistency. This season has been the highest level of difficulty of Ryan’s career. For the first time Ryan didn’t have a capable receiver and arguably the worst pass-blocking he has dealt with at any point.

If Atlanta doesn’t make drastic changes to the receiver group and the offensive line Ryan has to consider walking away. Who could blame him? Even a young quarterback shouldn’t be asked to deal with the hits and lack of weapons Ryan has dealt with this season.