After an extended search, the Atlanta Falcons have selected Ian Cunningham as their new general manager. Cunningham arrives in Atlanta following a notable tenure as assistant GM with the Chicago Bears and will work alongside the freshly appointed president of football, Matt Ryan, and head coach Kevin Stefanski.

The decision to hire Cunningham follows multiple rounds of interviews that began with his initial interview on January 9. While addressing the media, it was revealed that Cunningham had been one of six candidates interviewed for the role of general manager. During this time, he also competed against James Liipfert from the Texans for the position.

Background of Ian Cunningham

Cunningham comes from a strong background in player personnel, starting his career with the Baltimore Ravens before moving on to the Philadelphia Eagles. Notably, he contributed to two Super Bowl victories with different teams, making his experience valuable for the Falcons.

His hiring fulfills a critical gap in the Falcons’ leadership team, especially after the departure of former GM Terry Fontenot. Despite the team’s talent on paper, challenges in performance during Fontenot’s era could warrant a re-evaluation under Cunningham’s leadership.

In his new role, Cunningham’s immediate focus will include decisions around player contracts, particularly for wide receiver Drake London, who is due for an extension, as well as other key veterans on the roster. Ryan’s initial moves as president have begun reshaping the team dynamics as they look forward to the upcoming season.