How Falcons' Matt Ryan has been like Raiders' Tom Brady this spring

A recent story noted that Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has "definitely been around" the team more during springtime workouts than before. 

It sounds like the same can be said about Atlanta Falcons president of football Matt Ryan, who took over in that role this past winter. 

Matt Ryan is taking a hands-on approach with the Falcons

"Matt's been out here every day," Falcons quarterback and free-agency signing Tua Tagovailoa recently said about Ryan, as ESPN's Marc Raimondi shared over the weekend. "There's not a day where I haven't seen Matt out here. Whether he's chopping it up with the quarterbacks, taking some throws with us or kind of working around, just chatting with the guys. It's not every day where you get a former player and former player of that caliber out at organizational practices, let alone the organization that he's done so well for."

It's noteworthy that Ryan, the greatest quarterback in the history of the Falcons, has been spotted at practices throughout the spring. Atlanta is currently holding a competition for the QB1 gig involving Tagovailoa and 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr., which is expected to run through a portion of the summer. Tagovailoa reportedly is the favorite to emerge as the Falcons' Week 1 starter before August comes to an end. 

What Matt Ryan is offering players, Kevin Stefanski

Falcon tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. and wide receiver Jahan Dotson both mentioned how Ryan is "leading the team" and has been the "first one up" when an extra quarterback has been needed for OTA drills. It also sounds like Ryan is in constant contact with first-year Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski. 

"Obviously, he helps me every day, helps our players," Stefanski added about Ryan. "I think it's such a unique history, both in the city and this building. He sat in those chairs where those guys sat. So, I think that's really special when he can get in front of them and give them his perspective of things because it's not many people that can do that, like Matt [has] been at the pinnacle of this profession and now is in a role where he's helping guide this franchise. So, I think it's just anytime you can get him in front of your players, including your young players, your rookies, I think it's beneficial."

It remains to be seen how involved Ryan will be in deciding whether Tagovailoa or Penix gets the nod for the Falcons' Week 1 game at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 13.