FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) \u2014 Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams have become the latest general manager candidates to be interviewed by the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced on Friday.<\/p>\n
Cunningham and Williams first interviewed for the president of football position given to former longtime quarterback Matt Ryan. That interest makes them considered to be top candidates in the search for a general manager. Ryan is leading the search for the position as the latest step in the makeover of the team leadership.<\/p>\n
Owner Arthur Blank fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after an 8-9 finish, the team\u2019s eighth consecutive losing season. The Falcons hired former Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski to replace Morris. On Thursday, Tommy Rees, who worked on Stefanski\u2019s staff in Cleveland, was named offensive coordinator<\/a> after Stefanski retained Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator.<\/p>\n RELATED: Falcons hire former Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees for same role<\/a><\/p>\n Cunningham has worked the last four seasons as the Bears\u2019 assistant general manager following five seasons in various roles with the Philadelphia Eagles, including as director of player personnel.<\/p>\n Cunningham has worked in Chicago with general manager Ryan Poles, who was Ryan\u2019s college teammate at Boston College.<\/p>\n Williams has worked the last 15 seasons with the 49ers, including the last two as director of scouting and football operations.<\/p>\n Ryan and the Falcons previously interviewed Houston Texans assistant general manager James Liipfert and Pittsburgh Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl.<\/p>\n FALCONS OFFSEASON COVERAGE<\/p>\n Atlanta Falcons hire Kevin Stefanski as new head coach<\/a><\/p>\n Falcons hire Bill Callahan as offensive line coach<\/a><\/p>\n Falcons keeping Ulbrich as defensive coordinator under new HC Stefankski<\/a><\/p>\n Falcons\u2019 Kirk Cousins returns to TV booth for NFL playoffs, replacing Matt Ryan<\/a><\/p>\n Falcons QB coach D.J. Williams hired by Commanders<\/a><\/p>\n Matt Ryan introduced as Atlanta Falcons\u2019 first-ever president of football<\/a><\/p>\n Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank addresses front office shakeup<\/a><\/p>\n