The Atlanta Falcons are continuing their search for their next General Manager.
Atlanta fired General Manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris after an 8-9 2025 season. The organization have requested four interviews to fill the vacancy.
“While the team had been somewhat quiet in terms of its GM search since hiring Stefanski on Saturday, that changed on Wednesday morning,” Matt Urben wrote in a Falcons Wire article. According to multiple reports, the Falcons have put in requests to interview four general manager candidates.”
Who Are the Requested Candidates?
The first candidate requested is Houston Texans assistant General Manager James Liipfert.
Liipfert previously served as the Texans executive director of player personnel and the assistant director of personnel/director of college scouting. The Houston Texans then promoted Liipfert to assistant General Manager in 2025.
The second candidate requested is Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham.
“The Falcons previously interviewed Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham for their president of football opening and will be doing so again for their GM vacancy,” Urben wrote in the article. “Cunningham joined the Bears in the assistant GM role back in 2022. Prior to that, he spent five years with the Philadelphia Eagles (2017-2021), serving as director of player personnel in 2021.”
The third candidate requested is San Francisco 49ers scouting/football director Josh Williams
“Williams has been with the 49ers for 15 seasons, starting as an assistant within the scouting department in 2011,” Falcons beat reporter Terrin Waack wrote in an article. “He then served as a pro personnel scout (2013-15), the National Football Scouting representative (2016), an area scout (2017-21) and a national scout (2022-23) until obtaining his most recent role. The 49ers drafted wide receiver Ricky Pearsall at No. 31 overall in 2024 and edge rusher Mykel Williams at No. 11 overall in 2025.”
The Falcons also previously met with Josh Williams for their president of football opening. He is considered a serious contender for Atlanta’s GM opening.
The last candidate requested is Pittsburgh Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl.
The Falcons will be linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers assistant general manager for the first time. Weidl has been with the Steelers since May of 2022.
Latest on the Atlanta Falcons’ Hirings
Atlanta hired Matt Ryan as their President of Football on January 10th, 2026. He will oversee football operations. Ryan played Quarterback for the franchise from 2008 to 2021.
After the hiring of Ryan, the organization hired Kevin Stefanski as the new head coach on January 17th, 2026. Stefanski was fired as the Cleveland Browns head coach after going 5-12 with the Browns in 2025.
Stefanski is a two-time coach of the year. He led the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002, ending an 18-year playoff drought.
Following Stefanski will be offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
Rees, 33, was hired by the Falcons on January 22, 2026. Rees previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2025.
Before joining the Browns as an assistant, Rees served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama in 2023. Rees played college football at the University of Notre Dame.
Rees will be replacing offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2026.
Falcons Interview 4 Candidates for GM Vacancy