The Falcons’ search for their next general manager is heating up, and one familiar name is back in the mix.
Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham is set for a second, in-person interview with Atlanta this week, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. This isn’t Cunningham’s first brush with the Falcons’ front office-he was reportedly a finalist for the team’s President of Football Operations role before that job ultimately went to franchise legend Matt Ryan. Now, Cunningham is firmly in the running for the GM seat, and the Falcons are taking a closer look.
Cunningham brings a strong résumé built across multiple respected front offices. He got his start with the Ravens, working his way up from a personnel assistant (2008-2012) to an area scout (2013-2016), learning under one of the NFL’s most consistently successful scouting departments.
From there, he joined the Eagles and climbed the ladder quickly, holding key roles in college scouting and player personnel from 2017 through 2021. His efforts helped shape the roster that won Super Bowl LII and laid the foundation for Philly’s recent resurgence.
In 2022, the Bears brought him in as assistant GM, where he’s played a central role in Chicago’s ongoing rebuild alongside GM Ryan Poles.
Cunningham isn’t the only candidate Atlanta is eyeing. The Falcons have cast a wide net, interviewing and requesting to speak with a number of respected personnel executives from across the league. Here's where the search currently stands:
Finalist:
- Ian Cunningham, Bears assistant GM (Second interview scheduled)
Other Candidates:
- Josh Williams, 49ers director of scouting and football operations (Interview requested)
- Andy Weidl, Steelers assistant GM (Interview requested)
- James Liipfert, Texans assistant GM (Interview completed)
- Mike Bradway, Chiefs assistant GM (Interview requested)
- Joe Douglas, Eagles senior personnel director (Interview completed)
Each of these candidates brings a unique background and skill set to the table, but Cunningham’s blend of scouting chops and front-office leadership experience-especially in two high-functioning organizations like Baltimore and Philadelphia-makes him a particularly compelling option.
The Falcons are clearly doing their homework, and this second interview signals serious interest. With the team entering a pivotal offseason-one that could define the next era of Falcons football-hitting on the right GM hire is critical. Atlanta has talent on the roster and cap flexibility to work with, but it’ll take the right vision and leadership to turn potential into sustained success.
We’ll continue to track the Falcons’ GM search as it unfolds.