The Atlanta Falcons are continuing to reshape their front office under new leadership, and Monday brought another key addition. Former Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn is joining the Falcons as a senior advisor to head coach Kevin Stefanski - a move that, while it may fly under the radar nationally, carries real weight inside the building.
Quinn brings a deep well of experience from his time in Detroit, where he served as the Lions’ Executive Vice President of Football Operations and general manager for five seasons. While the team went 32-41-1 during his tenure, the record only tells part of the story. Quinn’s eye for talent was evident in the draft room - and that’s exactly where he could make a difference in Atlanta.
Take Frank Ragnow, for example. Drafted in 2018, the center became a bedrock for the Lions’ offensive line, earning three straight Pro Bowl nods and back-to-back All-Pro selections to close out his career. That’s the kind of pick that defines a front office’s ability to build from the trenches out - something any team trying to establish long-term success needs.
D’Andre Swift was another strong selection under Quinn’s watch. While his time in Detroit was relatively short, Swift delivered consistent production, topping 850 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns in each of his three seasons. That kind of versatility and reliability is exactly what teams are chasing in modern backfields.
Now, Quinn reunites with Stefanski after their recent stint together in Cleveland. While the Browns didn’t light up the win column every year, their work in the draft started to turn heads - especially in 2025.
That class was loaded, headlined by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who looks like the long-term answer under center. They also landed linebacker Carson Schwesinger, a Defensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner, along with a dynamic duo in running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
That kind of draft haul doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of a clear vision, strong collaboration, and a sharp understanding of team needs. And now, Falcons fans can hope that same formula translates to Atlanta.
Of course, the front office is still in flux. The general manager role remains vacant following Terry Fontenot’s abrupt departure, and while Quinn isn’t stepping directly into that position, his influence will be felt. He’s not just a name on the org chart - he’s someone with a proven track record of identifying talent and building rosters with staying power.
The Falcons' recent draft under Fontenot was bold and impressive in its own right, and now, with Stefanski and Quinn working together again, there's reason to believe Atlanta’s draft-day strategy will remain aggressive and calculated.
It’s still unclear exactly how much say Quinn will have in the Falcons’ upcoming personnel decisions, but his presence alone signals a commitment to experience and roster-building savvy. For a team looking to turn the page and build something sustainable, that’s a smart move - and one that could pay off sooner than people think.