Falcons Appoint Ian Cunningham As General Manager In Major NFL Front Office Shakeup

The Atlanta Falcons have ushered in a new era of leadership by officially naming Ian Cunningham as their general manager, a move that has already sent ripples of excitement through the city and the NFL at large. Announced on Thursday, January 29, 2026, the hire marks the latest piece in a sweeping front office overhaul aimed at snapping the franchise’s eight-year playoff drought and restoring its competitive fire.

Cunningham, 40, steps into the role after a four-year stint as assistant general manager with the Chicago Bears, a run capped by the Bears’ NFC North division title in 2025. The Falcons’ new GM will report to president of football Matt Ryan—a franchise icon in his own right—and collaborate closely with recently hired head coach Kevin Stefanski. Together, this trio is tasked with steering Atlanta out of a rut that’s seen the team fail to reach the postseason or finish above .500 since 2017.

“His vision for our team and organization aligned exactly with the type of leader we were seeking to help take the Falcons to the next level,” Ryan said in a statement released by the team. “Throughout Ian’s career … he has demonstrated the drive and focus it takes to build championship contenders and put them in the position to win games. We love his broad and deep experience across every aspect of talent evaluation and know he’s learned from some of the best in the league.”

Cunningham’s NFL résumé is nothing short of championship-caliber. He began his front office career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008, climbing the ranks from player personnel assistant to area scout. During his tenure, the Ravens hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XLVII in 2012. Cunningham then moved to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, just in time to witness—and help orchestrate—the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl victory. Over five seasons in Philadelphia, he advanced to director of player personnel, a period that saw the Eagles notch four playoff berths and two NFC East titles.

His time in Chicago further cemented his reputation as a savvy executive. As assistant general manager, Cunningham played a pivotal role in the Bears’ rebuilding efforts, including high-profile trades that sent linebacker Roquan Smith to Baltimore and defensive end Robert Quinn to Philadelphia in 2022. He also contributed to the drafting of quarterback Caleb Williams and the hiring of head coach Ben Johnson—moves that signaled a new direction for the Bears and ultimately resulted in a division crown in 2025.

It’s not just Cunningham’s professional pedigree that makes his arrival in Atlanta special. The Texas native has deep personal roots in the city. He grew up in Roswell, Georgia, during a golden era for Atlanta sports, when the Braves were perennial contenders and the city played host to the 1996 Summer Olympics. His father, Louis Cunningham, served as vice president of marketing for the Atlanta Olympic Committee, embedding the family in the fabric of the city’s sporting history.

“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,” Cunningham shared in a statement. “And I can’t wait to be part of bringing that fire and energy back to the city. 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. We all share the same vision for what the Atlanta Falcons should and will be, and it’s time to work.”

Before his front office ascent, Cunningham was an accomplished player in his own right. He anchored the offensive line at the University of Virginia from 2003 to 2007, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in education. Though he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008, he did not make the active roster—a setback that quickly pivoted him toward a career in NFL personnel.

Cunningham’s leadership style has been shaped by some of the league’s most respected executives. He credits Ozzie Newsome, the Hall of Fame general manager in Baltimore, with teaching him humility and the importance of “leading with grace.” From Howie Roseman in Philadelphia, Cunningham learned the intricacies of analytics and salary-cap management—skills that have become essential in today’s NFL.

His reputation for talent evaluation and relationship-building is well established. In 2025, he was named to The Athletic’s NFL “50 under 40” list, highlighting the league’s rising stars in executive roles. He was also a finalist for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ general manager position last year, a testament to his growing influence and appeal across the league.

Matt Ryan’s own journey from franchise quarterback to president of football has added a unique dynamic to the Falcons’ leadership structure. Ryan and Bears general manager Ryan Poles, both Boston College alumni and close friends, have maintained a strong relationship over the years. Poles was among those Ryan consulted during his transition to the front office, and Cunningham’s candidacy was reportedly on Ryan’s radar from the start.

For Falcons owner Arthur Blank, the sweeping changes were overdue. After back-to-back 8-9 seasons, Blank parted ways with former general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris earlier this month, setting the stage for a complete reset. The expectation, according to Ryan, is that Cunningham will have all the traditional responsibilities of a general manager, with Ryan retaining final say on football matters but not directly overseeing personnel decisions. “The general manager role is going to be exactly the same as what it’s been here before,” Ryan emphasized.

As the Falcons embark on this new chapter, expectations are high—and for good reason. Cunningham’s track record of building winning teams, combined with his Atlanta roots and fresh leadership alongside Ryan and Stefanski, has fans and analysts alike buzzing about the franchise’s future prospects. The city that once celebrated the “Dirty Birds” and Olympic glory is eager for another taste of gridiron success.

With the leadership team now firmly in place, the spotlight shifts to the upcoming NFL offseason and draft. All eyes will be on Cunningham as he gets to work, aiming to assemble a roster that can return Atlanta to playoff relevance and reignite the passion of its loyal fanbase. The journey is just beginning, but for Falcons fans, hope is finally back on the menu.