The Atlanta Falcons are charting a unique course this offseason, flipping the traditional front office script by hiring their head coach before naming a general manager. That move alone speaks volumes about how much faith the organization is placing in Kevin Stefanski to lead the next era of Falcons football.
But with Stefanski now in place, the focus shifts squarely to who’ll be pulling the strings in the front office. The Falcons have been busy interviewing candidates for their vacant GM role, and one name that’s generated buzz is Pittsburgh Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl. However, recent developments in Pittsburgh may complicate Atlanta’s pursuit.
Weidl interviewed with the Falcons on January 22, during a period of flux in Pittsburgh following Mike Tomlin’s departure. At that point, the Steelers were still sorting out their leadership structure, and Weidl was seen as a strong candidate to move on. But then came the surprise: Pittsburgh hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach-a move that could shift Weidl’s trajectory.
Here’s why that matters: Weidl and McCarthy go way back, all the way to their days with the New Orleans Saints in the early 2000s. Steelers GM Omar Khan was also part of that Saints front office, creating a trio with deep ties and a shared football philosophy. That kind of continuity and trust can be hard to walk away from, especially if McCarthy is building a staff that leans on familiar faces.
So where does that leave the Falcons? It’s possible that Weidl, now potentially in line for a bigger role in Pittsburgh’s reshaped front office, could pull his name from Atlanta’s search.
But it also depends on how the Falcons viewed him after the interview. If Stefanski and team brass weren’t sold, then this may be a non-issue.
Regardless, Atlanta isn’t short on options. Matt Ryan-yes, that Matt Ryan-has been heavily involved in the GM search as part of his new role as President of Football Operations. He’s already sat down with several notable candidates: former Jets GM Joe Douglas, Chiefs executive Mike Bradway, 49ers personnel man Josh Williams, Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, and Texans director of college scouting James Liipfert.
Interestingly, both Williams and Cunningham also interviewed for Ryan’s job before he was hired. That connection could give them a leg up in the GM race. If the Falcons weren’t impressed during their first round of interviews, it’s unlikely they’d have circled back for a second look.
Still, this is the NFL, and nothing’s set in stone until the ink dries. The Falcons are clearly casting a wide net, and with a new head coach in place and a franchise quarterback in the front office, this next hire will be pivotal in shaping Atlanta’s identity moving forward.
Whether Andy Weidl remains in the mix or not, the Falcons are deep into a search that could define their next decade.