By Samir Ajy
It is officially the dawn of a new era in Atlanta, as the Falcons announced Ian Cunningham as
the 13th general manager in franchise history on Thursday evening. Cunningham arrives with
nearly two decades of scouting and talent evaluation experience, along with a front-row seat to
how successful NFL organizations are built, sustained, and ultimately win championships.
Cunningham began his NFL career under legendary executive Ozzie Newsome, first as a
personal assistant and later as an area scout with the Baltimore Ravens from 2008 to 2016.
During that tenure, he helped the franchise capture its second Super Bowl title in 2012. In 2017,
Cunningham joined Howie Roseman’s front office with the Philadelphia Eagles as Director of
College Scouting, playing a role in the organization’s first-ever Super Bowl championship that
same season. He was promoted to Director of Player Personnel in 2021 before joining the
Chicago Bears as Assistant General Manager in 2022.
With the Bears, Cunningham played a key role in the team’s recent rebuild and turnaround.
Chicago is coming off its first NFC North title since 2019 and its first playoff victory since 2010,
signaling tangible progress under the current front office structure.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles has credited Cunningham for his influence on several major
roster-building decisions, including the blockbuster trade down from the first overall pick in the
2023 NFL Draft. That move netted Pro Bowl wide receiver DJ Moore, along with significant draft
capital from the Carolina Panthers. Cunningham was also instrumental in the revamping of
Chicago’s offensive line this past offseason, highlighted by the trade for Joe Thuney and the
free-agent signing of Drew Dalman.
Since the Falcons parted ways with former general manager Terry Fontenot, Cunningham had
long been considered a leading candidate for the position, in part due to his indirect connection
to Atlanta’s current President of Football Operations, Matt Ryan. Ryan is a former college
teammate and longtime friend of Poles, a relationship that dates back to their time together at
Boston College.
Cunningham’s ties to the Atlanta area run deep. He lived in Roswell nearly 30 years ago, when
his father, Louis Cunningham, served as Vice President of Marketing for the 1996 Summer
Olympics in Atlanta. Growing up in the area, Cunningham became a Falcons fan and
experienced firsthand the energy and pride that surround Atlanta sports when its teams are
thriving.
“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,”
Cunningham said in a statement following his hiring. “I can’t wait to be part of bringing that fire
and energy back to the city.”
Overall, Cunningham brings a background defined by championship pedigree, consistent
winning, and a personal connection to the city he now calls home. Alongside Ryan and newly
hired head coach Kevin Stefanski, he is tasked with helping the Falcons return to NFL relevance
for the first time in nearly a decade.
