The Atlanta Falcons are turning the page - and they’re doing it with purpose. With the hire of Ian Cunningham as general manager, Atlanta has officially rounded out a new leadership trio that includes head coach Kevin Stefanski and veteran quarterback Matt Ryan. It’s a fresh start with familiar faces, and it comes at a critical juncture for a franchise that’s been stuck in playoff purgatory for far too long.
Cunningham, a Georgia native, brings a strong résumé from his time with the Chicago Bears, where he played a key role in reshaping a roster that finally turned the corner. Now, he steps into a situation in Atlanta that’s both promising and challenging.
The Falcons have some foundational talent - Drake London and Bijan Robinson are legitimate building blocks - but they also face tough decisions this offseason. That includes trimming salary, restructuring contracts, and, if they’re serious about contending, taking a few bold swings.
Given Cunningham’s Chicago ties, don’t be surprised if he looks to bring in some familiar names from his Bears days. Here are five players who could realistically follow Cunningham to Atlanta - and why each one makes sense for the Falcons' next chapter.
WR D.J. Moore: A Dream Pairing with Drake London
Let’s start with the splashiest name on the list: D.J. Moore.
While it might feel like a long shot, Moore would be a perfect fit in Atlanta’s offense. Pairing him with Drake London would give the Falcons one of the more dynamic receiving duos in the league - a blend of size, speed, and route-running savvy.
Moore has been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks, largely because the Bears appear ready to move forward with younger receivers like Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. That makes Moore - a proven veteran with four 1,000-yard seasons under his belt - potentially expendable.
Yes, the price would be steep. It would likely take a significant draft pick and a sizable financial commitment. But if the Falcons are serious about giving Matt Ryan (or whoever is under center) the weapons to thrive, Moore would be a major statement of intent.
S C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Versatility and Edge in the Secondary
Atlanta’s secondary has talent, but it also has holes - and C.J. Gardner-Johnson could help plug several of them at once. Known for his ability to play both safety and cornerback, Gardner-Johnson brings the kind of versatility Jeff Ulbrich’s defense desperately needs.
With Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell already in the fold, adding a player like Gardner-Johnson could give the Falcons one of the more complete and aggressive secondaries in the NFC.
He’s got the swagger, experience, and football IQ to elevate the group - and he’s no stranger to the NFC South, either. Falcons fans will remember his days with the Saints, where he was often the antagonist.
A move to Atlanta would be a full-circle moment - and a chance to flip the script.
Injuries and free agency have left Atlanta thin in the defensive backfield, especially with Billy Bowman Jr. rehabbing an Achilles injury and Dee Alford set to hit the open market. Gardner-Johnson would bring immediate impact and leadership to a unit that needs both.
TE Cole Kmet: A Fit in Stefanski’s Two-TE System
This one hinges on what the Falcons decide to do with Kyle Pitts. If they let the former top-five pick walk in free agency - or opt not to use the franchise tag - then Cole Kmet becomes an obvious target. But even if Pitts stays, there’s still a role for Kmet in Kevin Stefanski’s offense, which often leans on two-tight end sets.
Kmet is a reliable, well-rounded tight end who can block, catch, and contribute in the red zone. With the Bears investing in rookie Colston Loveland as their tight end of the future, Kmet could be available via trade at a reasonable cost.
Whether as a complement to Pitts or a replacement, Kmet would bring stability and familiarity to the position - and give Stefanski another chess piece to work with in his run-heavy, play-action-based scheme.
CB Nahshon Wright: A Breakout Star with Ballhawk Skills
Nahshon Wright had a breakout year in Chicago, leading the league with eight takeaways, including five interceptions, and earning his first Pro Bowl nod. That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed - and for a Falcons team looking to upgrade the cornerback spot opposite A.J. Terrell, Wright could be the perfect fit.
He’s a playmaker with size, instincts, and confidence - exactly what Atlanta needs as it continues to build a secondary capable of matching up with the NFC’s top passing attacks.
Now, Wright won’t come cheap. His Pro Bowl season raised his value, and the Bears may not be eager to let him go. But if Cunningham can pull some strings and make it happen, Wright would be a high-upside addition to a defense that’s starting to find its identity.
Another option could be Tyrique Stevenson, a 2023 second-round pick who might be available in a lower-risk deal. But Wright’s ball skills and momentum make him the more intriguing target.
WR/KR Devin Duvernay: Special Teams Spark Plug
Let’s be honest - Atlanta’s special teams unit was a mess in 2025. The revolving door at returner, highlighted by midseason cuts of Jamal Agnew and Ray-Ray McCloud, left the Falcons scrambling. Deven Thompkins showed flashes, but the team still lacks a long-term solution in the return game.
Enter Devin Duvernay.
He’s not the flashiest name, but he’s a two-time All-Pro return specialist who can flip field position in a heartbeat. With Craig Aukerman taking over as special teams coordinator, the Falcons are expected to overhaul the unit - and Duvernay would be a significant first step in that process.
While this move wouldn’t grab headlines like a D.J. Moore trade, it could pay serious dividends in the field-position battle - and that’s the kind of hidden yardage that often decides games.
The Bottom Line
Atlanta’s new leadership group has a vision - and now it’s time to execute it. Ian Cunningham’s connections to Chicago give the Falcons a unique opportunity to bring in proven talent that fits both the scheme and the culture they’re trying to build.
Whether it’s a blockbuster move for D.J. Moore or a sneaky smart signing like Devin Duvernay, the Falcons are poised to be active this offseason. And if Cunningham can replicate the success he had in Chicago, Atlanta might finally be ready to rise again.