Atlanta Falcons: 3 Reasons Matt Ryan should consider retirement

3. There are only two ways to go out on top, only one is on the table for Matt Ryan

If you’ve had a great NFL career there are only two ways you can go out on top. The first is the Peyton Manning way, a great player who leaned on his team to win a Super Bowl and walked away knowing he left everything he had on the field.

Even Peyton himself knows that he wasn’t at his best during his final season with the Broncos. He didn’t have the same abilities we had seen even the season before and he struggled to stay healthy and help his team win.

Thanks to his leadership and an elite defense Peyton made just enough plays to win it all and walk away as a hero. This is arguably the best way to walk away, however, this option isn’t on the table for Ryan. The Falcons aren’t anywhere close to winning it all and demanding a trade as previously mentioned, is unlikely.

The second way to go out is the Calvin Johnson route, go out with plenty of game left in you. Does anyone think Calvin Johnson didn’t have another season or two of greatness left? His retirement was so notable because of how early in his career it came and how great he still was.

This option is clearly on the table for Matt Ryan. Ryan can step away as a top ten quarterback not allowing his franchise to deal with the issues the Broncos, Saints, or Steelers have dealt with.  Ryan can step away with seasons left and be remembered as the quarterback he always has been, the greatest quarterback in franchise history.