After a search that stretched on for weeks, the Atlanta Falcons have settled on their new general manager, hiring Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham.
He emerged as the early favorite due to his ties to Matt Ryan and ultimately held off a late challenge from Texans assistant GM James Liipfert to land the job in Atlanta.
With Cunningham now in place, the Falcons finally have their leadership structure set as they look to push the roster forward. While the team already boasts a solid core of talent, wide receiver remains a major area of need — and Cunningham’s connections in Chicago could prove pivotal in addressing it.
Atlanta is in the market for a strong complement to Drake London, and Bears receiver D.J. Moore fits that bill.
Coming off a quieter 2025 season, Moore could be attainable, giving Cunningham the chance to make a bold first move as GM by swinging a blockbuster trade for the veteran wideout.
Ian Cunningham needs to call up his old boss and help the Falcons trade for D.J. Moore
Moore made a costly mistake on the interception that sealed the loss to the Rams, but he was on fire late in the season within Ben Johnson’s offense. The 28-year-old has posted four 1,000-yard campaigns in his career and has quietly been one of the league’s most overlooked receivers over the past few years.
While he’s yet to earn a Pro Bowl or All-Pro nod, Moore has been among the NFL’s most reliable wideouts, even if he’s never quite broken into the elite tier. Given the inconsistency Atlanta dealt with at receiver this season, adding a steady presence like Moore would be a welcome upgrade.
Chicago’s long-term plans at wide receiver now revolve around Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, which puts the former Maryland standout squarely on the trade radar. The Bears are expected to listen to offers this offseason, and having two executives with ties to Ryan Poles involved only strengthens the possibility of talks.
The financial side isn’t straightforward, as the former first-round pick carries a $28.5 million cap hit in each of the next three seasons following his recent extension. Still, there’s room to maneuver. By adding void years, the Falcons could free up close to $19 million in cap space after a deal.
Moore’s strong finish also means a trade is far from guaranteed, but Chicago’s growing logjam at receiver complicates matters. If the Bears do make him available, Cunningham’s arrival in Atlanta makes a potential move back to the NFC South an option well worth considering.
