More information about Matt Ryan joining CBS revealed

There's more information about why former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan decided to join CBS Sports as an NFL analyst this offseason. 

As shared by the Barrett Sports Media website, host Steak Shapiro revealed on Monday's edition of the Atlanta sports radio station 92.9 FM The Game morning show he recently spoke with Ryan about the quarterback's future. 

"It was kind of like, 'I’m [37] years old, man. I need to work,'" Shapiro said about Ryan. "What he was saying – he wasn’t talking about playing quarterback. He was talking about, 'I need a regular gig.'"

Ryan famously featured for the Falcons from 2008 through the 2021 season but most recently endured a year to forget while with the Indianapolis Colts this past campaign. He was benched at one point amid reports that his throwing arm was "shot," and the Colts ultimately released the NFL Most Valuable Player for the 2016 season in March. 

According to ESPN stats, Ryan finished what may go down as the final season of his career ranked 25th among qualified players with a 42.9 adjusted QBR. Across 12 games, he tossed 14 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. 

While Ryan is on track to work for CBS as an in-game analyst and also on programs such as "The NFL Today," he insisted via Twitter he isn't retiring. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio later pointed out that the Colts theoretically could try to avoid paying Ryan the $12M they owe him for 2023 if he publicly and officially retired.

"Ryan is done," Florio wrote. "...But he’s saying he’s not retired because he hopes to get the money that the Colts committed to pay when trading for him last year." 

Florio added that Ryan "technically has an obligation to seek NFL employment" as a free agent to earn his $12M. That's likely a non-issue at this point, as there's no indication any team wants to sign the veteran who seemingly was past his prime the last time he faced a live defense. 

"Translation: If QB1 goes down; if QB2 goes down, I’m here; I’m available guys," 92.9 FM The Game co-host Sandra Golden told Shapiro about Ryan's mindset. 

Ryan could, of course, have a change of heart similar to what Philip Rivers reportedly experienced when he allegedly reached out to the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins about possibly coming out of retirement late in the 2022 season. However, it seems more likely Ryan will eventually sign a one-day contract to retire with the Falcons next year.