Ryan's rookie campaign turned out to be the first of five straight winning seasons for a team that had never put together even back-to-back records above .500 over the first 42 years of its existence.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works in ther pocket against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in New Orleans (Derick Hingle/AP).

FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) warms up before the first half of a preseason NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns, Aug. 29, 2021, in Atlanta.

Then-Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 30, 2018. Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ...