Jan. 21, 2026Updated Jan. 22, 2026, 6:13 p.m. ET

The Atlanta Falcons front office and coaching staff is starting to take shape. The team hired Matt Ryan as president of football before naming Kevin Stefanski the 20th head coach in franchise history. Now, all that’s left to do is hire a new general manager.

While the team had been somewhat quiet in terms of its GM search since hiring Stefanski on Saturday, that changed on Wednesday morning. According to multiple reports, the Falcons have put in requests to interview four general manager candidates.

Let’s take a look at each reported interview request below.

Liipfert, who previously served as the Texans executive director of player personnel and the assistant director of personnel/director of college scouting, was promoted to assistant GM in 2025. Houston’s drafting in recent years has helped the team assemble one of the NFL’s top defenses.

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“James Liipfert has an awesome reputation and respect within the scouting community for his evaluation skills,” wrote ESPN’s Field Yates. “Really smart dude! He’s done it at both the pro and college level and played a real role in building the best defense in the NFL.”

Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham

The Falcons previously interviewed Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham for their president of football opening, and will be doing so again for their GM vacancy. Cunningham joined the Bears in the assistant GM role back in 2022. Prior to that, he spent five years with the Philadelphia Eagles (2017-2021), serving as director of player personnel in 2021.

The Bears finished first in the NFC North this season at 11-6, and it has a lot to do with their terrific offseason. Chicago revamped its offensive line, which included signing former Falcons center Drew Dalman in free agency. Dalman went on to make his first career Pro Bowl this season. Cunningham has been a finalist for multiple GM openings over the last year.

San Francisco 49ers scouting/football director Josh Williams

The Falcons also previously met with Josh Williams for their president of football opening before going with Matt Ryan. The 49ers exec has spent over a decade in San Francisco and has a ton of scouting experience. He is considered a serious contender for Atlanta’s GM opening.

“Williams has been with the 49ers for 15 seasons, starting as an assistant within the scouting department in 2011,” wrote Falcons beat reporter Terrin Waack. “He then served as a pro personnel scout (2013-15), the National Football Scouting representative (2016), an area scout (2017-21) and a national scout (2022-23) until obtaining his most recent role. The 49ers drafted wide receiver Ricky Pearsall at No. 31 overall in 2024 and edge rusher Mykel Williams at No. 11 overall in 2025.”

Pittsburgh Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl

The Falcons’ last reported interview request was with Pittsburgh Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl. This is the first time the team has been linked to Weidl, but the Steelers have reportedly agreed to let him meet with the Falcons.

“Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl will interview for the open general manager position with the Atlanta Falcons, according to sources,” wrote Steelers correspondent Mark Kaboly. “Weidl has been with the Steelers since May of 2022 and is a well-respected personnel evaluator around league circles.”

Follow along with every interview and request for Atlanta’s GM vacancy here!