Overview
- Cunningham will report to President of Football Matt Ryan and align with new head coach Kevin Stefanski in the Falcons’ restructured chain of command.
- Atlanta offered Cunningham the job Thursday after multiple interviews this month, choosing him over fellow finalist James Liipfert of the Texans.
- Because Ryan is designated as Atlanta’s primary football executive, league rules do not grant the Bears the two third-round compensatory picks tied to minority hires.
- Early priorities include a free agency plan, decisions on extensions and pending contracts for key players, and clarifying the quarterback path with Kirk Cousins’ adjusted deal and Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL recovery.
- Cunningham, 40, arrives after four seasons as Chicago’s assistant GM and prior stops with the Ravens and Eagles, succeeding Terry Fontenot after Atlanta’s 8-9 season and prolonged playoff drought.