Jan. 23, 2026, 2:51 p.m. ET
The Atlanta Falcons have completed another interview for their general manager vacancy, speaking with Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham on Friday afternoon.
Cunningham previously interviewed for the team’s president of football vacancy that eventually went to Matt Ryan. The Bears hired Cunningham in 2022 and he’s been a key member of the team’s turnaround. Chicago ended a five-year playoff drought in 2025 and won a postseason game for the first time since 2011.
The team made it a priority to upgrade their offensive line over the offseason, signing former Falcons center Drew Dalman in free agency and trading for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney. Plus, Chicago made the most out of having the first overall pick in back-to-back seasons.
After trading away the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers in 2023, the Bears drafted Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in 2024. These decisions have paid off thus far.
Prior to joining the Bears in 2022, Cunningham spent five years in the Philadelphia Eagles front office. He began as Philadelphia’s director of college scouting in 2017 and was promoted to director of player personnel in 2021. Cunningham got his start with the Ravens as an assistant and area scout, spending nine years in Baltimore.
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The Falcons have completed three total interviews for their general manager vacancy. On Thursday, the team spoke with Houston Texans assistant GM James Liipfert and Pittsburgh Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl.
-Follow along with each interview and request using our Falcons GM tracker!
