It’s official. On Tuesday morning, the Falcons announced that they have hired Terry Fontenot as their new GM.
[RELATED: Falcons Hire Arthur Smith]
The Saints’ assistant GM of pro personnel reportedly shook hands (or, elbow-bumped) on a deal last week. However, he was barred from taking the job while the Saints were in the midst of the playoffs. Then, the Buccaneers eliminated the Saints on Sunday, clearing the way for Fontenot to move on to his new NFC South home.
To date, Fontenot has spent his entire 18-year career with the Saints. After seven seasons as a pro scout, seven seasons as director of pro scouting, and four years in his current role, the Falcons believe that he’s ready to lead his own front office.
“When we started this process we were focused on finding someone that not only has a track record of identifying key building blocks that result in successful teams, but also someone who focuses on cohesive relationships within the building. We feel very strongly that we’ve found that individual in Terry Fontenot,” said owner Arthur Blank. “In his past positions, he has shown the ability to make strong decisions and judgments that result in championship-caliber teams, while also understanding a variety of viewpoints and respecting a collaborative process throughout.
“Landing a leader of Terry’s stature, I believe our organization, players, fans and community will have confidence in our approach throughout this process as I am certain Terry will represent them and the expectations they have to a high level.”
With Fontenot and Arthur Smith in place, the Falcons will now focus on rounding out their coaching staff.
Sounds like a great hire…plus now you get a extra 3rd draft pick.
Atlanta gets NOTHING New Orleans gets a 2nd and a 3rd. Kinda backwards
NO actually gets a comp 3rd both this draft and next, but yeah, it does seem a little backward. I get that it incentivizes hiring minorities at a grassroots level to develop more talent but it seems like the hiring team should get rewarded too.
Yeah it makes absolutely sense the team that DIDN’T make the minority hiring gets rewarded….and like you said, it will eventually back fire with a team not making a hire to simple to avoid giving another team extra draft picks. A 3rd round Comp pick is pretty high…but we are talking Goodell here soooo lol
Frankly, it should be neither if we’re being honest. If the NFL wants a level playing field, this isn’t the direction to go. The current format disincentives teams from hiring minorities because it requires surrendering draft capital
Falcons don’t lose any draft picks but it sure seems like it would disincentivize teams hiring from within their own division to give a rival team two 3rds even if they’re at the bottom of the round. The Falcons must have really liked Fontenot.
Oh God. Disregard my previous comment and pretend it’s deleted. I had a brain fart and forgot how the rules worked