The Atlanta Falcons began an organizational shift on Sunday with the firings of Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot, but that is only the beginning.
In a letter to the fans on Monday, Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced significant changes at the very top of the organization, ones that have been necessary for far too long. For starters, Rich McKay’s time as Falcons CEO is finished. He will be replaced by Greg Beadles, who is now the president and CEO of the Falcons.
“As part of our ongoing succession planning, Greg Beadles has been elevated from president to president and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, effective today, succeeding Rich McKay,” Blank announced. “Greg will continue oversight of all business affairs of the Falcons and collaborate closely with the new president of football to ensure all resources and operational support are working toward the goal of a winning product on the field, and that we continue to deliver for our fans in every way.”
Now, McKay isn’t completely done with the organization. He will continue heading AMBSE initiatives, and I have to remind people, we’ve seen this song and dance before. On multiple occasions, Arthur Blank has told the public that Rich McKay is no longer involved in football operations, only for him to remain the single most important person in the room when it comes to football decisions.
When it comes to McKay, I’ll believe it when I see it, but the words, for now, are at least encouraging.
Additionally, the Falcons are announcing a new position: President of Football.
“We will be adding a new president of football from outside the organization,” Blank continued. “The leader in this new role will set the vision and identity for our team. Our new head coach and general manager will report to the new president of football, and they will work collaboratively as a football leadership team on all football decisions. Final decision-making authority will rest with the president of football. This leader will also work in collaboration with the club’s president and CEO to ensure the team’s football and business operations are appropriately aligned with unified organizational goals to deliver success on the field and in all areas of engaging Falcons fans. The new president of football will report directly to me. We plan to move quickly on this hire so the new president of football can be fully involved in the selection of our new leaders in the head coach and general manager roles.”
No official word has been released yet, but the notion is the new President of Football will be Matt Ryan.
Falcons are hiring a new president of football, which many expect to be former Atlanta QB Matt Ryan.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2026
It’s possible Matt Ryan has already accepted this role, and the Falcons are just waiting to roll out the red carpet for the legendary quarterback. NFL insider Josina Anderson reported yesterday that his voice is already being heard inside the building.
“My understanding is Matt Ryan’s voice is already ‘active’ in the Falcons building, per league source,” Anderson wrote on Twitter/X.
We’ll see if Ryan is indeed named the Falcons’ next President of Football, but as of now, all Atlanta fans should be celebrating the prospect of Rich McKay’s voice finally being removed from the line of communication, something that should have been done a decade ago.
—
Photographer: Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire