The Atlanta Falcons have already gotten started on lining up head coaching interviews, with requests in to the Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks for Anthony Weaver and Klint Kubiak, respectively. Now we\u2019ve gotten word that they have reached out to the Chicago Bears to interview assistant general manager Ian Cunningham for their open GM gig.<\/p>\n
CBS Sports reporter Jonathan Jones is the first one on it. Suffice to say this is not a surprise.<\/p>\n
Cunningham was the first name we heard linked to the opening after it became clear the team would fire GM Terry Fontenot, which they did after their final game of the season on Sunday. Cunningham works closely with Bears GM Ryan Poles, who was college teammates with former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, a widely reported candidate for Atlanta\u2019s new president of football position.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s about more than just a link. Cunningham is extremely deserving of an extended look, with a background as a personnel assistant and area scout for the Ravens (2008-2016), the director of college scouting, assistant director of player personnel, and director of player personnel in order for the Ravens (2017-2021), and the assistant general manager for the Bears. All three of those franchises have added significant talent during Cunningham\u2019s stints, and he was interviewed in the last couple of cycles, though he ultimately didn\u2019t land his first general manager gig.<\/p>\n