President of football Matt Ryan introduced the organization's new hire.
Tori McElhaney
ATLANTA The Atlanta Falconsofficially introduced Ian Cunningham as the organization's next general manager. Sitting down alongside president of football Matt Ryan for the general manager's introductory press conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tuesday morning.
"The fruits of our labor is here in Kevin (Stefanski) and, now, Ian," Ryan said.
Cunningham arrived in Atlanta after four seasons with the Chicago Bears as the assistant general manager, culminating in the Bears' NFC North title in 2025. He camehighly supported by Bears' executives.
For Cunningham who ended up completing three separate interviews with the Falcons throughout the month of January Atlanta was where he wanted to be.
"I wanted to be a part of this organization because of their process, their attention to detail, their intentionality behind everything," Cunningham said.
Later: "I feel like myself, Matt (Ryan) and Kevin (Stefanski), we are cut from the same cloth."
Keep reading to check out more from Cunningham's first press conference as the Falcons' general manager.
Why Cunningham?
In his opening statements, Ryan explained why the organization ultimately landed on Cunningham to take over the front office. Likehe did with Stefanski a week prior,Ryan detailed how Cunningham's collective lived front office experience sold Atlanta on him.
"He learned from incredible general managers during (his) stops, whether that be Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta in Baltimore, Howie Roseman in Philadelphia, Ryan Poles in Chicago. I think that was one of the biggest selling points for us on Ian," Ryan explained. "It was his experience in all areas of scouting, too. He has touched it all. I think from a general manager position understanding what those positions go through, the expectations for them are, it was very important to us through the process."
It's these men Cunningham himself sees as individuals to chase.
"Fortunately for me, I have been around some of the greats to ever do it," Cunningham said. "If I can be half as good as them, that's what I am striving for, trying to be as good as them."
It was his totality of a career from being an area scout with Baltimore, to a director with Philadelphia, to finally an assistant general manager in Chicago along with his recommendations that really made leaders in Atlanta feel they had found their guy.
"We were looking for somebody who was well-versed in terms of their experience, and has touched all of the different parts of scouting," Ryan reiterated. "That's was something that was important for us because there's a lot that falls under Ian's control, so you want somebody who is comfortable, who understands each individual's role in his department."
Thoughts on the state of the quarterback position
Similar to Stefanski's introductory press conference last Tuesday, Cunningham and Ryan wereasked about the quarterback position in Atlanta.
They were asked specifically: If Michael Penix Jr. was healthy enough, would he be named the starter? As well as what was being done to potentially bring in competition in the event he isn't.
Like Stefanski, neither Ryan or Cunningham were going to paint themselves into a corner with an answer.
"Neither of us are the head coach of the football team. We can't answer your question on that," Ryan said. "I think all of us are going to get together. Ian has been a part of it for three days. And has had a lot on his plate during that time. I think as we start to get into this process and dive deeper into the roster, how it currently stands, where it's going in the future. I think those are conversations that are going to be a part of it. Quarterback is obviously very important, and we are excited about Mike and what he's doing with his rehab. ... Certainly, a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster."
Philosophy on roster construction
The Falcons have a set vision in place.They have from the onset of their search for the next general manager and head coach. It's to be a smart, tough, physical football team.
"That's what we are going to be," Cunningham said. "That's what we are going to be built on."
This, Cunningham continued, is actually three words that are the basis of the DNA of winning programs he has been a part of. It's shaped his own philosophy as far as roster building goes.
"Smart, tough, physical. We are going to build through the trenches," Cunningham said. "If you look at all of those teams (I have been a part of), that's the philosophy. Draft, develop and retain. That's going to be our philosophy here, too. You can't have enough draft picks. We did that in Baltimore. You want to retain your own. So, that's what we are going to do."
Which builds up our next section...
Draft priorities
Picks. Picks. And more picks. That's what Cunningham craves when it comes to draft weekend. He wants that capital.
"I love picks, man," Cunningham said. "You use those as currency. You can use it as trading up. Trade for players, proven players. It allows you more swings at the plate. There are different ways you can use them, but that's why we value them. That's why we will value them."
Though the Falcons only have five draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft at this moment, that's no problem for Cunningham.
"We only had five in Chicago my first year there, too," he said. "I think we ended up with 10. We love those picks."
Acquiring more is definitely on the table "to build through the draft that way."
Salary cap compliance and creativity
Cunningham's calendar is about to be filled to the brim as he gets settled into the facility out in Flowery Branch. Already he has draft meetings on the books, starting next Monday. Already he has meetings with pro personnel to talk free agents. Wednesday, though, he meets with the people in the building who work closest with the salary cap.
It has to start there, and for Cunningham, it will.
Cunningham's way of thinking when it comes to the cap is simple: "I never want to mortgage the future for the now."
"You don't want to have too much dead money," Cunningham explained. "We are going to be creative. We are going to be innovative in that area moving forward."
Still, it's not like the cupboards are bare in Atlanta. Oh no, not at all, per Cunningham.
"We have talent on this roster," Cunningham concluded, "but it is going to be my job to continue to add competition to it, to enhance it and help Kevin and his staff get the right players in here so we can consistently compete for championships."
That is the goal after all.
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