Falcons interview Saints' Fontenot for Atlanta GM position

Posted January 06, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) congratulates Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) after an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) The Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - The Atlanta Falcons conducted a virtual interview for general manager Wednesday with New Orleans Saints executive Terry Fontenot.

The Falcons are seeking a replacement for longtime GM Thomas Dimitroff, who was fired along with coach Dan Quinn after the team began the season with five straight losses.

Fontenot is the Saints' vice president and assistant general manager in charge of pro personnel. He has been with Atlanta's NFC South rival for 16 seasons.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Todd Bowles says he will interview to be Atlanta's coach.

'œYeah, that's true,'ť Bowles said Wednesday. 'œRight now, I'm focusing on the playoff game. That will come in time and I will deal with that then.'ť

The Buccaneers will play at Washington in a NFC wild-card game on Saturday night.

Bowles was 26-40 as the New York Jets coach from 2015-18 and was 2-1 as Miami's interim coach in 2011.

The Falcons held virtual interviews with Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh in their coach search on Monday. Atlanta interim coach Raheem Morris interviewed on Friday.

Fontenot was the fifth candidate to interview for the GM job.

The Falcons previously met with former Houston Texans GM Rick Smith, Atlanta director of college scouting Anthony Robinson, and two other directors of college scouting, Brad Holmes of the Los Angeles Rams and Morocco Brown of the Indianapolis Colts.

Team owner Arthur Blank has said he will not place limitations on what moves a new general manager and coach can make. He said that includes decisions on quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones.

___

AP Sports Writer Fred Goodall in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report.

___

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, left, hugs head coach Raheem Morris before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, left, and President and CEO Rich McKay confer on the sideline before the team plays the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Football NFL NHL Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.