Updated Jan. 30, 2026, 3:34 p.m. ET
The Atlanta Falcons have hired Ian Cunningham as their new general manager. The former Chicago Bears assistant GM met with Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ brass on Thursday afternoon and was officially named Atlanta’s general manager a few hours later.
Cunningham, 40, has spent the last four seasons working under Bears general manager Ryan Poles. Before that, he worked in the Philadelphia Eagles front office from 2017 to 2021. Cunningham also spent nine years working for the Baltimore Ravens (2008-2016).
According to team reporter Tori McElhaney, the Falcons will formally introduce Cunningham on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET. Falcons president of football Matt Ryan will be present and the press conference will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
A native of Roswell, Georgia, Cunningham grew up as a Falcons fan and is eager to get to work. Atlanta’s new general manager released a statement after landing the job on Thursday night.
Falcons GM Ian Cunningham puts out statement:
It’s truly an honor to be the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons and I couldn’t be more thankful to Arthur Blank, Matt Ryan, Greg Beadles, Josh Blank and the entire search committee for believing in me. 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 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. — Falcons GM Ian Cunningham
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Make sure to check back on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET for Cunningham’s introductory press conference.
