The Atlanta Falcons hired former quarterback Matt Ryan as President of Football in January 2026. He's in a position to help the organization with football positions, including personnel, and to keep the coaching staff and front office on the same page. With the team 3-4 going into Week 8, Jessie Bates III already sees the impact Ryan is making for the franchise.

While guest appearing on the “Pat McAfee Show,” on Friday, the 29-year-old safety admitted that Ryan has already helped him and his teammates a ton in his executive role. Bates claims he loves Ryan's hands-on approach to helping Falcons players.

“There’s nothing like having a former player that’s been there, that knows what it looks like,” Bates said. “And then also being on the team that he played most of his career for. He's been all hands-on. You'd never think that he's the President of our organization.

“You'd think he's our safety position coach,” Bates continued. “Sometimes he's going out there and throwing us a deep ball, giving us a good look in different drops with these quarterbacks nowadays… He's hands-on. There's nothing like having former players in the building…”

“There’s nothing like having a former player that’s been there, that knows what it looks like.”

—Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III on the impact of Matt Ryan’s presence in the building 💪

(via @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/cMbF2kRoTU

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 30, 2026

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This isn't the first time we've heard about Matt Ryan getting involved with practices. While working with the players as a sort of extra coach, the former MVP quarterback is also busy helping the front office put together the roster. Although the pieces aren't fully connected yet, the Falcons certainly have several exciting players for Ryan and the front office to build around.