Ryan Poles' top assistant is finally getting his shot as a general manager in the NFL. Chicago Bears' assistant general manager Ian Cunningham has been hired as the Atlanta Falcons general manager, the Falcons announced Thursday evening. We all share the same vision for what the Atlanta Falcons should and will be and it's time to work." Cunningham was one of two finalists, beating out Houston Texans' assistant general manager James Liipfert for the general manager role. The backstory:Cunningham came to the Bears in 2022, joining Poles in his first season as the Bears' general manager.