After weeks of searching, the Atlanta Falcons have finally landed their new general manager, hiring Ian Cunningham away from his role as assistant GM with the Chicago Bears. Cunningham was considered a strong candidate from the start, thanks in part to his previous connection to Matt Ryan, and he ultimately edged out Texans assistant GM James Liipfert for the job.
With Cunningham now in place, the Falcons’ front office is fully staffed and ready to take the next step in building a contender. The roster already has a solid foundation, but there’s no question that wide receiver remains one of the team’s most pressing needs. And with Cunningham’s ties to Chicago, there’s a potential solution that could be sitting right in his old backyard.
Enter D.J. Moore.
The Falcons need a dynamic complement to Drake London, and Moore could be exactly that. He’s coming off a down year in 2025, but that might be what makes him attainable-and what makes this a prime opportunity for Cunningham to make a bold first move as GM.
Moore’s season ended on a sour note with a costly mistake on a game-sealing interception against the Rams, but that shouldn’t overshadow what he did late in the year. He found his rhythm in Ben Johnson’s offense and showed flashes of the playmaker he’s been throughout his career. At 28, he’s already posted four 1,000-yard seasons and remains one of the league’s most consistent, if underrated, receivers.
No Pro Bowls. No All-Pro selections.
But don’t let that fool you-Moore has been steady in a league that often values flash over reliability. And for an Atlanta offense that struggled to find consistency at wideout this past season, a player like Moore could bring exactly what they’ve been missing: a dependable target who knows how to get open and move the chains.
The Bears, meanwhile, are loaded at receiver. With Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III in the fold, Moore’s future in Chicago is looking increasingly uncertain. There’s already buzz that the Bears will listen to offers for him this offseason, and Cunningham’s familiarity with the Bears’ front office-especially GM Ryan Poles-could give Atlanta an edge in any potential deal.
Now, let’s talk numbers. Moore’s contract isn’t exactly team-friendly.
His recent extension carries a $28.5 million cap hit in each of the next three seasons. That’s a hefty price tag, but it’s not unmanageable.
If the Falcons were to restructure the deal by adding void years, they could free up nearly $19 million in cap space post-trade. It’s a financial puzzle, sure, but one that’s solvable if the Falcons believe Moore is the missing piece.
Of course, there’s no guarantee the Bears will move him. Moore’s strong finish to the season could convince Chicago to hold onto him, especially if they’re eyeing a playoff push of their own. But the depth they’ve built at the position-and the fact that Moore’s contract could be used to create flexibility-makes this a situation worth watching.
For the Falcons, the arrival of Ian Cunningham marks a new era. And if he wants to make a statement right out of the gate, picking up the phone and inquiring about D.J.
Moore might be a smart way to do it. The fit makes sense, the need is clear, and the connection is already there.
Now it’s just a matter of whether Atlanta is ready to pull the trigger.