{"id":737060,"date":"2026-02-08T02:32:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T02:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/737060\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T02:32:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T02:32:18","slug":"former-chicago-bears-gm-parting-ways-with-falcons-after-ian-cunningham-hire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/737060\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Chicago Bears GM parting ways with Falcons after Ian Cunningham hire"},"content":{"rendered":"

Though he will not be the \u201cprimary\u201d football executive worthy of giving the Chicago Bear<\/a>s two compensatory third-round picks, new Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham is setting up his structure.<\/p>\n

More News: Bears get bad news on Raiders\u2019 Maxx Crosby trade front<\/a><\/p>\n

And now a former Bears general manager is out.<\/p>\n

Matt Ryan, the new Falcons president of football hired Cunningham away from the Bears, where he served as an assistant GM for Ryan Poles.<\/p>\n

With Ryan and Cunningham running the show, former Bears general manager Ryan Pace is parting ways with the organization, per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Falcons and VP of football operations\/player personnel Ryan Pace have parted ways, per sources,\u201d Pelissero posted on X. \u201cPace, the former Bears GM, was highly thought of in Atlanta. But he was brought in by close friend Terry Fontenot, who was fired last month, and will have options elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Falcons and VP of football operations\/player personnel Ryan Pace have parted ways, per sources. <\/p>\n

Pace, the former Bears GM, was highly thought of in Atlanta. But he was brought in by close friend Terry Fontenot, who was fired last month, and will have options elsewhere. pic.twitter.com\/E6dOrpbDyW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Former Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace is out in Atlanta
\n\"\"Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Pace walks on the sidelines before Chicago Bears against Detroit Lions NFL game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

More News: Bears: 3 top candidates to replace OC Declan Doyle<\/a><\/p>\n

Pace was hired as the Falcons senior personnel executive in 2022. He moved up to becoming their director of player personnel in 2023. He earned the promotion to VP in 2024.<\/p>\n

The Falcons are hoping the lessons Cunningham learned from the Bears under Poles will be better for the team than the direction Pace had taken Atlanta in recent seasons.<\/p>\n

The Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris after the season and hired Kevin Stefanski as his replacement.<\/p>\n

Atlanta appears to be a mess this offseason with a new and questionable structure at the top with Ryan and Cunningham sorting out responsibilities. Cunningham didn\u2019t make the decision to hire Stefanski, who failed miserably during his tenure with the Cleveland Browns.<\/p>\n

For now, Cunningham needs to focus on free agency and the draft to build a better roster for Stefanski. The Falcons clearly believe they have a better chance to find key players without Pace.<\/p>\n

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