The Atlanta Falcons are turning the page with a new vision at the top of their football operation, officially naming Ian Cunningham as their next general manager. After parting ways with Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris at the close of the season, the Falcons are clearly signaling a fresh direction - and Cunningham is front and center in that plan.
Cunningham steps into the GM role after serving as the Chicago Bears’ assistant general manager since 2022, where he worked closely with GM Ryan Poles. In Chicago, Cunningham was a key figure in the Bears’ front office, playing a major role in both personnel decisions and the draft process. His reputation around the league has been steadily rising, and now he gets the reins in Atlanta.
The move comes just days after the Falcons named former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski to the same role in Atlanta, and after former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was officially introduced as the team’s new president of football operations - a newly created position by owner Arthur Blank. The trio of Ryan, Stefanski, and Cunningham now forms the leadership core of a franchise looking to recapture its identity and build a sustainable contender.
For Cunningham, this is more than just a career milestone - it’s personal. He grew up in nearby Roswell, Georgia during the heyday of the “Dirty Birds,” when Atlanta sports were buzzing with energy and the city was hosting the Olympics. That connection to the city’s sports culture runs deep, and Cunningham made it clear he’s ready to channel that passion into reshaping the Falcons.
“It’s truly an honor to be the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons,” Cunningham said in a statement. “As a Falcons fan growing up in Roswell when the Dirty Birds were rolling, the Braves were on fire and the city was hosting the Summer Olympics, I lived the passion of Atlanta sports fans and I can’t wait to be part of bringing that fire and energy back to the city.”
He also emphasized the strong working relationship he’s already developed with Ryan and Stefanski. “It’s been incredible to build a relationship with Matt over the last several weeks and to have an immediate connection with Kevin. I can’t wait to work with both of these great football minds to put a team on the field everyone will be very excited about.”
Cunningham brings with him a rock-solid football résumé. After playing offensive line at the University of Virginia - where he started 31 games - he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008. Though he didn’t make the final roster, he quickly found his footing in the front office world.
His executive career began with the Baltimore Ravens, where he spent nearly a decade rising through the ranks from personnel assistant to area scout. He then joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, where his influence grew even more.
He served as director of college scouting, then assistant director of player personnel, and eventually director of player personnel. His time in Philadelphia included a Super Bowl win and a reputation for sharp evaluation and team-building insight.
In Chicago, Cunningham was instrumental in helping the Bears reshape their roster under Poles. His blend of scouting acumen, leadership, and front-office versatility made him a sought-after candidate across the league. He’s been named to The Athletic’s “40 Under 40” list of rising NFL executives and has been a frequent name in GM conversations in recent hiring cycles.
Now, the Falcons are betting on that track record - and his connection to Atlanta - to help spark a new era. With Matt Ryan overseeing football operations, Kevin Stefanski on the sidelines, and Ian Cunningham building the roster, the Falcons have assembled a leadership group that blends experience, vision, and local roots.
The challenge ahead is clear: rebuild a roster that’s been stuck in the middle and reignite a fan base that’s hungry for consistent success. But with Cunningham’s arrival, the Falcons are signaling they’re ready to do just that - and they’re doing it with someone who knows exactly what Atlanta football can mean when it’s done right.