Atlanta Falcons hire Terry Fontenot as next GM

Terry Fontenot is the next general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints' Vice President and Assistant General Manager impressed multiple teams in his interviews and lands with an NFC South rival.

The Falcons were able to proceed with the hire after the Saints were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday night. The move was officially announced on Tuesday morning.

Fontenot has spent all 18 of his years in the NFL with the Saints, starting as an intern in the marketing department. He then moved into various pro scouting roles and has been able to find good players. The Saints' free agent additions, specifically, have been a key part of the franchise's success over the last decade or so.

Fontenot was considered the favorite for the job from an early point in the process. He becomes the league's fourth current African American general manager.