While Kevin Stefanski has been hired and is busy building his staff, the Falcons general manager search has been a much quieter affair. We’ve all been waiting to see when they’ll interview candidates like Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham, who interviewed for the president of football job that was inevitably going to Matt Ryan, but have not gotten much news.
Until last night, that is, when we learned they’ll interview Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl.
I’ve heard good things about Weidl as an evaluator of talent, but the most positive sign for Falcons fans might be the way Steelers fans reacted to this news, which was with something approaching doom. Weidl’s background is in the draft, where the Falcons could always stand to be better, and he’s been credited by Pittsburgh fans and observers for a recent string of strong classes for the Steelers. Prior to Pittsburgh, he worked with the Eagles, Ravens, and Saints, and was credited with helping to revive a Philadelphia team that returned to relevance in a major way in the mid-to-late 2010s. He’s a strong candidate, and probably the most experienced one the Falcons will interview for this job.
Atlanta has vowed to get general manager and head coach on board at the same time, but between the playoffs and the fact that Matt Ryan’s position means any general manager will be viewed in the eyes of the league as an assistant GM and can be blocked for lateral moves, this process has gone a little more slowly than anticipated. We’ll see who’s up next for interviews, but I’d put Weidl on the shortlist of candidates to get the job alongside Cunningham and the 49ers’ Josh Williams.
