The Atlanta Falcons have hired Ian Cunningham as their new general manager. Cunningham, who served as assistant general manager for the Chicago Bears, takes over after the Falcons fired Terry Fontenot earlier this month. He will work under president of football Matt Ryan and alongside head coach Kevin Stefanski. The hire comes after a thorough search that included multiple interviews.
Background
The Falcons have not reached the playoffs since 2017. Their most recent seasons ended with 8-9 records under coach Raheem Morris. The team let go of Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after the 2025 season. Fontenot had been with the Falcons for five years but never delivered a winning record.
To reshape the front office, the Falcons brought in Matt Ryan as president of football. Ryan, a former star quarterback for Atlanta, led the search for a new head coach. That process ended with the hiring of Kevin Stefanski on January 17. Stefanski had input on the general manager choice, though Ryan directed the effort.
The Falcons held the only GM opening in the NFL at the time. They took their time, interviewing several candidates. Cunningham stood out after two in-person meetings. He also interviewed for the president role that went to Ryan.
Cunningham brings a background in scouting and trades. At age 40, he started in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 as a personnel assistant. He moved up to area scout there from 2013 to 2016. Before joining the Bears in 2022, he spent five years with the Philadelphia Eagles. His roles there included director of college scouting in 2017 and director of player personnel by 2021.
In Chicago, Cunningham helped with key moves during the team's rebuild. He played a part in trading linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens and defensive end Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. Those deals marked the start of the Bears' reset.
Key Details
Cunningham had his final interview with the Falcons on Thursday. Houston Texans assistant GM James Liipfert was another finalist who met in person that day. The Falcons spoke with five other candidates overall, including Andy Weidl, Josh Williams, Mike Bradway, and Joe Douglas.
Cunningham's Path to Atlanta
Cunningham and Ryan share ties through the Bears' setup. Ryan Poles, the Bears GM, played college football with Matt Ryan at Boston College. They stay in touch. Poles created the assistant GM job for Cunningham when he arrived in Chicago. That role was new for the franchise.
As a player, Cunningham was an offensive lineman at the University of Virginia. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2008, but he did not make the roster. He switched to front office work right after.
The Falcons' new structure puts Ryan in charge of big decisions. Cunningham reports to him. Stefanski focuses on coaching. This setup aims to blend experience from playing, scouting, and management.
"Ian Cunningham brings sharp scouting eyes and trade know-how to Atlanta. His work in Chicago shows he can handle big moves." – NFL analyst Joe Patrick
What This Means
For the Falcons, Cunningham's hire points to a focus on smart trades and draft picks. His time with the Bears emphasized trading down to gather more selections. Atlanta holds needs across the roster after years without playoffs. They face choices on contracts and free agents soon.
Cunningham steps into a role with resources. The Falcons have cap space and draft capital. Pairing him with Stefanski, who built winners in Cleveland, could speed up progress. Ryan's presence adds franchise knowledge.
In Chicago, the Bears lose a key aide but keep their core staff. They expect no further departures from scouting. Ryan Poles must now fill the assistant spot. The Bears' recent success makes this a hit, though they miss Cunningham's input on upcoming plans.
Atlanta fans hope this ends the drought. The team last won a division title in 2016. Cunningham's track record suggests he favors building through deals over splashy spending. The front office now has its pieces in place for the 2026 offseason.
The hire wraps up Atlanta's rebuild at the top. With Ryan overseeing, Cunningham managing personnel, and Stefanski coaching, the Falcons aim to return to contention. Free agency and the draft loom large. Cunningham's first moves will show his plan.
Observers see this as a nod to analytics and patience. Cunningham's Eagles and Bears stints leaned on data in scouting. Atlanta, long criticized for bold swings, may shift gears. The proof comes in results over the next seasons.
