Hold onto your helmets, football fans, because the Atlanta Falcons are making a bold move that could reshape their future. According to ESPN sources, the Falcons are set to hire Ian Cunningham, the Chicago Bears' assistant general manager, as their new GM. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Cunningham the right man to turn around a franchise that hasn't seen a winning record since 2017? Let’s dive into the details.
Marc Raimondi, who began covering the Falcons in 2024 but joined ESPN in 2019 as a top combat sports reporter, brings this exclusive scoop. Raimondi, also known for his book Say Hello to the Bad Guys: How Pro Wrestling's New World Order Changed America, has a knack for uncovering the stories behind the headlines. His journey in sports journalism started in 2009 with the New York Post and Newsday, where he covered everything from high school sports to the NFL, MLB, and NHL.
Cunningham, 40, emerged as the top candidate after an in-person interview on Thursday, beating out Houston Texans assistant GM James Liipfert. His resume is impressive: as the Bears' assistant GM since 2022, Cunningham played a key role in orchestrating major trades, including sending linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens and defensive end Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles during the Bears' rebuild. And this is the part most people miss—Cunningham’s ability to navigate complex deals could be exactly what the Falcons need to rebuild their roster.
Before his time in Chicago, Cunningham climbed the ranks with the Eagles, starting as director of college scouting in 2017 and rising to director of player personnel by 2021. His NFL journey began in 2008 with the Ravens as a personnel assistant, where he was promoted to area scout in 2013. Interestingly, Cunningham’s football roots run deep—he was an offensive lineman at the University of Virginia and even signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008, though he didn’t make the active roster.
The Falcons’ decision to hire Cunningham comes after firing former GM Terry Fontenot and coach Raheem Morris earlier this month. Fontenot’s five-year tenure failed to produce a winning season, while Morris managed back-to-back 8-9 records. To spark change, the Falcons restructured their leadership, hiring franchise legend Matt Ryan as president of football operations. Ryan, who led the search for the new coach, hired Kevin Stefanski on January 17. Stefanski also had a say in Cunningham’s hiring, though Ryan was the driving force.
What’s intriguing is the connection between Cunningham and Ryan. Ryan and Bears GM Ryan Poles were teammates at Boston College and remain close friends, which likely played a role in Cunningham’s rise to the top of the Falcons’ shortlist. Cunningham was also a finalist for Atlanta’s president of football role, showcasing his versatility and appeal.
But here’s the million-dollar question: Can Cunningham replicate his success in Chicago and lead the Falcons back to playoff contention? With the Falcons holding the NFL’s only GM opening, they had the luxury of time to make the right choice. Now, all eyes are on Cunningham to see if he can deliver where others have fallen short.
What do you think? Is Ian Cunningham the game-changer the Falcons need, or is this just another risky move? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
