The Atlanta Falcons have officially ushered in a new era - and it’s taking shape fast. With the hiring of Ian Cunningham as general manager, the Falcons have completed a sweeping overhaul of their leadership team, pairing Cunningham with head coach Kevin Stefanski and newly appointed assistant GM Matt Ryan. Yes, that Matt Ryan.
This trio isn’t just a collection of big names - it’s a group unified by a shared vision for what Atlanta football can and should be. And that word - vision - keeps coming up for a reason.
On the day of his hiring, Cunningham spoke about the connections he’s already built with Ryan and Stefanski, calling his relationship with Ryan “incredible” and highlighting an immediate chemistry with Stefanski. “We all share the same vision for what the Atlanta Falcons should and will be,” Cunningham said. “It’s time to work.”
That’s not just a soundbite - it’s a mission statement. Cunningham wasn’t handed this job by default.
He emerged from a final round of interviews that included Texans assistant GM James Liipfert. But Cunningham’s alignment with Ryan and Stefanski, both in philosophy and in approach, made him the clear choice for owner Arthur Blank and the Falcons’ decision-makers.
And let’s be clear: this hire isn’t about flash. It’s about football.
Cunningham brings a resume that’s been forged in some of the league’s most respected front offices. He’s worked under Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore and Howie Roseman in Philadelphia - two of the sharpest minds in the business when it comes to roster construction and long-term team building. Most recently, he played a key role in helping turn around the Chicago Bears, contributing to their most promising season in years.
That experience matters. But what might matter more is the mindset he’s bringing to Atlanta - one that’s focused squarely on winning.
Not on optics. Not on hype.
Just winning.
The Falcons, to put it bluntly, have needed a reset. The previous regime struggled to find consistency, and there was often a sense that the franchise was chasing approval - from fans, from players, from the media - instead of chasing wins.
Cunningham, Ryan, and Stefanski aren’t interested in that. They’re here to build a team that competes, and competes with purpose.
And there’s real reason to believe in this group. Ryan, now stepping into a front office role after a legendary playing career, brings not just credibility but a deep understanding of the organization’s culture and expectations.
Stefanski, with his even-keeled leadership and offensive mind, provides the kind of stability Atlanta has lacked on the sidelines. Add Cunningham’s personnel acumen into the mix, and you’ve got a leadership trio that’s aligned in both mindset and mission.
This isn’t about rebuilding - it’s about reestablishing. The Falcons have talent on the roster.
What they’ve lacked is cohesion at the top. Now, with Cunningham in place, that structure is starting to solidify.
It’s early, of course. No games have been played, no drafts have been made, no trades executed.
But this much is clear: the Falcons are no longer just talking about change - they’re enacting it. And with Cunningham now officially on board, Atlanta’s front office looks ready to get to work.