"Blank said last week that Ryan has "final decision-making authority," meaning he'll outrank Fontenot's replacement. However, Ryan insists Atlanta's next GM will not be a figurehead. "The final decisions that I am going to have to make is who we hire, but we are empowering (the HC and GM) to go out there and do their job and I have expressed that in the interviews that we have had," Ryan stated (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic)."
"Ryan hasn't conducted any GM interviews, but some of the candidates he beat out for his job may be in the running, per Ledbetter. Lions chief operating officer Mike Disner, Panthers executive vice president of operations Brandt Tilis, 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, and Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham interviewed for the president of football position. Those meetings also counted as GM interviews, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports (via Scott Bair of Marquee Sports). It's unclear if the Falcons will hold more discussions with anyone from that group."
Matt Ryan was named Falcons president of football on Jan. 10 despite a lack of front office experience. He immediately began the searches for a new general manager and head coach after owner Arthur Blank fired Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris following a second straight 8-9 season. The Falcons are conducting the GM and head coach searches concurrently, with a preference for hiring a head coach first. Blank granted Ryan final decision-making authority, and Ryan says he will empower the GM and head coach rather than make them figureheads. Ryan has met with eight head coaching candidates, including John Harbaugh. Several executives who interviewed for the president role may be considered for GM; further discussions remain unclear.
Read at Pro Football Rumors
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