During the Falcons' end-of-season press conference team owner Arthur Blank announced that veteran quarterback Matt Schaub is planning to retire.
"I had a nice conversation yesterday with Matt Schaub," Blank said. "Again, for the second or third time, Matt's played his last game for us. He's retiring, as you all know. I thanked him for all that he's done in the NFL, generally. We interviewed him back in 2008, the year that we drafted Matt [Ryan], and Schaub has been a really good player for us and he's been a great player for the Texans."
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Schaub, 39, was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft and began his career as the primary backup to Michael Vick in Atlanta. Schaub had a breakout performance in his second career start, a matchup against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Week 6 of the 2005 season. In place of an injured Vick, Schaub went toe-to-toe with Brady and threw for 298 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
While the Falcons ultimately lost that game, 28-31, it earned Schaub the reputation of being one of the top backup quarterbacks in the NFL. That was the final game Schaub would start for Atlanta before the team traded him to the Houston Texans prior to the 2007 season. For Schaub, the Falcons received the Texans' second round picks in 2007 and 2008, and Atlanta sent its 10th-overall pick in 2007 for Houston's 8th-overall pick that same year.
Upon his arrival in Houston, Schaub was given the opportunity to become the team's full-time starter at quarterback, an opportunity he seized. A starter for six seasons and the first half of his seventh in Houston, Schaub made two Pro Bowls and developed into a respected starting quarterback in the NFL. He led the league with 4,770 passing yards in 2009 and led the Texans to a franchise-best 12-4 record in 2012.
Schaub ended his time in Houston completing 64.6 percent of his passes for 23,221 yards with 124 touchdowns and 78 interceptions, which became an issue for him late in his run with the team. After one-year stints with the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens, Schaub was given the opportunity to return to Atlanta and reunite with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who he had worked with in Houston.
In his final four years with the Falcons, Schaub only made one start. But, in throwback fashion, he made it a memorable one. With Ryan injured in Week 8 of the 2019 season, Schaub stepped in to start against the Seattle Seahawks and threw for 460 yards with one touchdown and one interception. At the age of 38, he threw for the second-most yards in a single game in franchise history.
While he only started a grand total of three games in his seven years with the Falcons, Schaub was immensely respected by the fan base and now ends his NFL career right where it began.
Quarterback Matt Schaub, who started and finished his career in Atlanta, is hanging up his cleats, according to Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Schaub was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft.
Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 poses for images during the 2020 Atlanta Falcons Creative Day shoot on Friday July 31, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 in action during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday October 27, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 warms up during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
QB Matt Schaub, playing for Kelly McGuire, Army
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 and quarterback Matt Schaub #8 are shown during warm ups before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 3, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 celebrates with quarterback Matt Schaub #8 during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 smiles during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 talks to Arthur M. Blank during pregame against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 20, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 during warmups before the game against the Green Bay Packers on October 5, 2020. (Photo by Kyle Hess/AtlantaFalcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 during warmups before the game against the Dallas Cowboys on September 20, 2020. (Photo by Kyle Hess)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 looks on before the game against the Denver Broncos on November 8, 2020. (Photo by Matt Haley/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers on October 5, 2020. (Photo by {Cato Cataldo/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 throws the ball at AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp on August 18, 2020 in Flowery Branch, GA. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 throws his hat to fans in the stands after the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday December 8, 2019. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 in action at AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp on August 5, 2020 in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 straps on his helmet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Thursday November 28, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 with former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Sunday October 6, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 throws the ball during the second quarter of the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday October 27, 2019. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 in action dropping back to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Thursday August 8, 2019. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 and quarterback Matt Ryan #2 with Washington Redskins quarterback Case Keenum #8 after the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday August 22, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 looks on before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday October 27, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 works during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 and quarterback Matt Schaub #8 take the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Sunday September 8, 2019. (Photo by Cato Cataldo/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 and quarterback Matt Schaub #8 are shown after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 3, 2021.
