FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are in search of a new general manager after parting ways with Terry Fontenot following the 2025 season. A new-look leadership group — including Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan — is leading the hunt to find his successor with the assistance of ZRG Partners and Sportsology Group.
"We're looking for people that work well together," Ryan said of the search at his introductory press conference. "And that doesn't mean best friends. You've got to have a professional and really strong working relationship. And sometimes that comes with seeing things a little bit differently. But the best of the best find ways to get to common ground.
"As we go through both of these searches, both the head coach and the GM, as we're going along that lane at the same time, that's what we're looking for. We're looking to find two people that we feel like are excellent in their role and what they're asked to do but also can provide a really strong working relationship together."
On Jan. 17, the Falcons hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. With the two-time coach of the year in the building, Atlanta turns its attention fully to the search for a general manager.
The Falcons will announce these interviews after they are completed with each candidate. We'll provide those updates here, along with relevant information and background about each candidate.
The NFL has specific rules for how and when teams can conduct these interviews. They are outlined here.
The Falcons have officially completed a second interview with Ian Cunningham for general manager.
First interview date: Friday, Jan. 23
Second interview date: Thursday, Jan. 29
Current role: Cunningham has been the Chicago Bears' assistant general manager since 2022.
Resume highlights:
- Cunningham has 18 years of NFL experience, the last four coming with the Bears. He was the first-ever assistant general manager in Chicago, joining the franchise with general manager Ryan Poles. The Bears won the NFC North in 2025, their first division title since 2018.
- Prior to his time with the Bears, Cunningham spent five years with the Philadelphia Eagles, holding the role of director of college scouting (2017-18), assistant director of player personnel (2019-20) and director of player personnel (2021). The Eagles made the playoffs four times during Cunningham's tenure, including a Super Bowl victory in his first season.
- Cunningham's start in the league came with the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he spent nine seasons as player personnel assistant (2008-12) and area scout (2013-16). The Ravens went to the playoffs in each of those years, winning the Super Bowl in his last season.
- Cunningham was an offensive lineman for the University of Virginia, so he understands what it's like to be a collegiate athlete.
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