The Atlanta Falcons sent shockwaves through the NFL with a sweeping organizational reset, firing general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris in a move that surprised even longtime league observers. What followed raised even more eyebrows: Atlanta hired two separate search firms to oversee the search for their next general manager and head coach.
NFL insider Adam Schefter on his podcast offered insight into why the Falcons chose this unconventional approach — and why the outcome may already be predictable.
Why Are the Falcons Using Two Different Search Firms?
According to Schefter, the Falcons’ reasoning is rooted in specialization. One firm focuses more on traditional football operations and executive evaluation, while another — notably Sportology — emphasizes behavioral science, workplace dynamics, and leadership fit.
In theory, this allows Atlanta to evaluate candidates from both a football and organizational culture perspective. In practice, however, Schefter questioned whether splitting the process actually adds value.
From the outside, it appears owner Arthur Blank is sparing no expense in pursuit of a “thorough” search. But as Schefter noted, the Falcons may already have a clear picture of where this process is headed — raising the question of whether the search firms are simply validating decisions that have been in motion for weeks.
Matt Ryan’s Expected Role Looms Large
One of the most telling developments is the growing expectation that franchise legend Matt Ryan will be brought into the organization as a Director of Football or President of Football Operations.
That idea reportedly surfaced before the public revelation of the search firms, suggesting Atlanta’s leadership structure may already be largely defined. If Ryan assumes a top football executive role, it would significantly shape both the GM and head coach hires — regardless of how many firms are involved.
Ian Cunningham Emerges as GM Candidate
Another name gaining traction is Ian Cunningham, currently the assistant general manager with the Chicago Bears. Cunningham is widely respected around the league and has been viewed as a future GM for years.
His potential arrival in Atlanta is especially intriguing due to his existing relationships, including familiarity with Matt Ryan and connections to several high-profile coaching candidates. This is where the Falcons’ search begins to look less mysterious.
Head Coach Candidates: Familiar Names, Predictable Paths
If Cunningham were to land the GM role, the head coaching search could quickly narrow. Names frequently mentioned include:
- Kevin Stefanski
- Brian Flores
- Jonathan Gannon
- Kliff Kingsbury
Several of these candidates already have relationships with Cunningham or align with the leadership profile Atlanta is believed to want. Stefanski, in particular, has been linked to Atlanta early and reportedly already has an interview scheduled.
A Search That May Already Have an Ending
Despite the Falcons’ use of multiple search firms, league insiders suggest the organization’s future leadership chart is not difficult to predict:
- Matt Ryan in a senior football operations role
- Ian Cunningham as general manager
- A proven NFL head coach such as Brian Flores or Kevin Stefanski
As Schefter put it, for all the intrigue, creativity, and financial investment in search firms, the final outcome may have been visible “a mile away.”
What This Means for the Falcons Moving Forward
Atlanta’s approach highlights a growing NFL trend toward blending football evaluation with leadership psychology and organizational culture. Whether that justifies the use of multiple search firms remains debatable.
What is clear is that the Falcons are positioning themselves for a new era — one that leans heavily on familiar NFL power brokers, strong relationships, and trusted football minds rather than a true open-ended search.
The process may look complex, but the destination appears increasingly clear.