Cunningham comes to Atlanta after four years as the Chicago Bears’ assistant general manager. He will report to the Falcons’ president of football operations, Matt Ryan. The Falcons highlighted his impact in Chicago, noting that during his tenure, Bears players earned multiple honors and that the 2025 offense finished sixth in total offense, with 13 of 15 players who played at least 400 snaps contributing.
Prior to Chicago, Cunningham spent five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he rose from director of college scouting to assistant director of player personnel and then director of player personnel. He was part of the Eagles’ front office when the organization won its first Super Bowl in 2017.
Cunningham began his NFL front-office career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 as a player personnel assistant. After five seasons with the Ravens, including their 2012 Super Bowl title, he progressed to roles as a southeast area scout and then southeast/southwest area scout. He entered the NFL after signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent offensive lineman in 2008.
A native of Carrollton, Texas, Cunningham grew up in Georgia’s Roswell area and is the son of Louis Cunningham, who served as vice president of marketing for the Atlanta Olympic Committee during the 1996 Games. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2007 and a master’s in education in 2008 from the University of Virginia.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank and head of football operations Matt Ryan expressed enthusiasm about Cunningham’s appointment. Blank said Cunningham’s bright, innovative mind made an immediate impact, adding that the objective is to win and contend for championships every year. Ryan supported the choice, and Blank noted the organization now has leadership in place with Matt Ryan, Kevin Stefanski and Ian Cunningham to build on the Falcons’ foundation.
