The Atlanta Falcons are making a bold move to reshape their front office, hiring Ian Cunningham as their next general manager. Cunningham, who has been serving as the assistant GM with the Chicago Bears, beat out Texans assistant GM James Liipfert for the job and now steps into one of the most pivotal roles in the Falcons organization.
Cunningham won’t be easing into his new role. He’ll immediately partner with team president Matt Ryan and newly hired head coach Kevin Stefanski to begin charting the course for a franchise that’s clearly in transition. And make no mistake - the first order of business is the quarterback position, which remains one of the most pressing and complicated questions facing the team.
With Michael Penix Jr. still on the mend from ACL surgery he underwent in late November, and Kirk Cousins not expected to return next season, the Falcons' QB room is wide open. That means Cunningham, Stefanski, and Ryan are staring down a franchise-defining decision right out of the gate. Whether they look to the draft, free agency, or a potential trade, the direction they take under center will say a lot about the identity this new regime wants to build.
Cunningham brings a strong personnel background to the table, with a resume that’s been steadily building toward this kind of opportunity. He got his start in the Ravens organization back in 2008 as a personnel assistant, eventually working his way up to area scout. That Baltimore foundation - known for its consistent talent evaluation - laid the groundwork for his rise.
From there, Cunningham made a significant impact in Philadelphia, where he held multiple roles from 2017 to 2021, including director of college scouting and eventually director of player personnel. He played a key part in the Eagles’ roster construction during a stretch that included a Super Bowl win and multiple playoff runs. His next stop was Chicago, where he served as assistant GM starting in 2022, helping to guide the Bears through a rebuild that emphasized youth, physicality, and long-term flexibility.
Now in Atlanta, Cunningham takes the reins of a team that’s been searching for stability and a clear vision. With a respected football mind in Stefanski on the sideline and Matt Ryan transitioning from franchise quarterback to executive leadership, the Falcons are putting their faith in a collaborative brain trust to steer them forward.
Cunningham’s track record suggests he’s ready for the challenge. But the clock is already ticking - and the quarterback domino is the first one that needs to fall.