### Falcons Restructure Leadership: Matt Ryan Takes Helm as President of Football The Atlanta Falcons have made significant changes to their leadership structure, appointing former quarterback Matt Ryan as the president of football operations. This decision comes after a disappointing season where the team finished with an 8-9 record, marking their eighth consecutive losing season. Ryan, who holds numerous franchise records from his 14 years as the starting quarterback, will now lead the search for a new head coach and general manager, both of whom will report directly to him. The team had previously fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, prompting this leadership overhaul [https://apnews.com/article/falcons-ryan-blank-2f3bdece7741da963efb31f2b8011997][https://apnews.com/article/falcons-coach-search-weaver-kubiak-945407e2312a1c62393c689594c67307]. ### Overview of Recent Developments in Falcons' Leadership 1. **Appointment of Matt Ryan**: - The Falcons named Matt Ryan as president of football operations on January 10, 2026, after he interviewed for the position the previous day. His role will involve overseeing the hiring of a new head coach and general manager [https://apnews.com/article/falcons-ryan-blank-2f3bdece7741da963efb31f2b8011997][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/falcons-hire-matt-ryan-president-145245518.html]. 2. **Coaching Search Initiated**: - Following Ryan's appointment, the Falcons conducted interviews with Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, and Anthony Weaver, the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, for the head coach position [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/falcons-complete-interviews-klint-kubiak-001231800.html][https://apnews.com/article/falcons-coach-search-weaver-kubiak-945407e2312a1c62393c689594c67307]. 3. **Ryan's Legacy and Responsibilities**: - Ryan's extensive experience and legacy with the Falcons position him uniquely to lead the franchise through this transitional phase. He will be responsible for making high-level decisions that could shape the future of the team [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/matt-ryan-goes-franchise-qb-152529902.html][https://www.livemint.com/sports/atlanta-falcons-hire-matt-ryan-as-president-of-football-operations-check-details-11768060270171.html]. ### Supporting Evidence of Leadership Changes - **Matt Ryan's Background**: - Ryan is the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, having spent 14 seasons with the Falcons. His return to the organization in a leadership role is seen as a pivotal move to restore the team's competitive edge [https://apnews.com/article/falcons-ryan-blank-2f3bdece7741da963efb31f2b8011997][https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article/falcons-bring-back-legend-matt-ryan-as-president-of-football]. - **Coaching Interviews**: - The interviews with Kubiak and Weaver are part of a broader strategy to revitalize the team's coaching staff. Kubiak has also been in discussions with the Miami Dolphins for their head coaching vacancy, indicating his high demand in the current coaching market [https://apnews.com/article/dolphins-coach-klint-kubiak-interview-e73a2874f4657149c4fe47e5c3a130fb][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/falcons-complete-interviews-klint-kubiak-001231800.html]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for the Falcons In summary, the Atlanta Falcons are entering a new era with the appointment of Matt Ryan as president of football operations, a move aimed at reversing years of underperformance. The immediate focus will be on securing a new head coach and general manager, with Ryan at the helm of these critical decisions. This restructuring reflects the franchise's commitment to rebuilding and striving for success in the upcoming seasons. 1. **Leadership Change**: Matt Ryan appointed as president of football operations. 2. **Coaching Search**: Interviews conducted with Kubiak and Weaver for head coach. 3. **Future Outlook**: Ryan's leadership expected to guide the Falcons towards a more competitive future. This strategic shift is crucial for the Falcons as they aim to break free from their recent struggles and re-establish themselves as a formidable team in the NFL [https://apnews.com/article/falcons-coach-search-weaver-kubiak-945407e2312a1c62393c689594c67307][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/falcons-hire-matt-ryan-president-145245518.html].