Imagine the heartbreak of cheering for your beloved team, only to watch them stumble year after year, missing the glory days that once defined them. That's the raw emotion many Atlanta Falcons fans have been grappling with lately—and trust me, it's a feeling that hits hard.
Dear Atlanta Falcons Supporters and Our Vibrant Community,
No words I can write will erase the sting of our recent struggles on the field. We're all painfully aware that we've failed to live up to the high standards you, our passionate fans, and we ourselves have always set. Ultimately, that buck stops with me as the owner. When performance lags behind dreams over an extended period, there's no diluting or distributing blame—it's squarely on my shoulders. Deep down, I believe our squad deserves to be battling at an elite level, and I genuinely share in your profound exasperation.
But here's where it gets interesting: You, our loyal fans, and the incredible community we proudly serve, are the very lifeblood of this franchise. Every week, through thick and thin, you show up with unwavering faith, pouring in your precious time, hard-earned dollars, and heartfelt emotions into the Falcons. That kind of dedication demands a team that consistently chases championships, not just occasionally flirts with them. Unfortunately, we haven't delivered that reliability in the last few years. To honor your steadfast backing and the urgent need for a reliably victorious team, we've thrown everything into the mix recently, brainstorming the best path forward.
With expert guidance from the Sportsology Group—think of them as seasoned consultants who specialize in dissecting sports operations to uncover strengths and weaknesses—we've performed an exhaustive, deliberate evaluation of our entire football setup over the past two months. Recognizing that tweaks across the board are essential to hit our targets, we're rolling out major transformations. As we shared just last night, a fresh head coach and general manager will lead us starting in 2026, but that's merely one piece of a broader overhaul for a new chapter.
The journey we undertook these last months was a brutally honest audit of our football team from every angle: how choices about the game are researched, decided, and executed; our internal setup; and our communication flows.
Today, I'm excited to update you on the shifts we're actively putting into motion for the Atlanta Falcons:
— We're actively scouting top talent to fill the head coach and general manager positions. To ensure we get this right, we've enlisted ZRG Partners and Sportsology Group to aid in those quests, and we'll tap into wisdom from football insiders nationwide, keeping our sights on the current NFL landscape and future trends to secure leaders who can steer us forward.
— We're introducing a new president of football from beyond our current ranks. This visionary will define our team's direction and character. The incoming head coach and general manager will answer to this new president, collaborating as a unified football leadership squad on every decision. The final call on football matters will lie with the president of football. They'll also partner with our club's president and CEO to align football and business sides seamlessly, ensuring unified goals that bring wins on the field and an unbeatable fan experience. This new president reports straight to me, and we're moving swiftly on the hire so they can play a full role in selecting the other key leaders.
— In our effort to plan for the future, Greg Beadles has been promoted from president to president and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, taking effect immediately and stepping into Rich McKay's shoes. Greg will keep overseeing all business operations and work hand-in-hand with the new president of football to funnel every resource toward building a championship-caliber team, while keeping our fans thrilled in every interaction.
— Guided by the president of football, Greg, and our new head coach and general manager, we'll map out and roll out additional organizational tweaks we've pinpointed during this review as improvements for our football operations. This will unfold in the weeks and months leading up to the 2026 season. Sportsology will lend a hand with restructuring the front office.
— Over the past few years, Rich McKay has expanded his responsibilities to encompass our wider Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment empire and community endeavors. With our long-term planning, which kicked off over five years ago, now paying off through Greg's rise, Rich can dedicate his full energy to pivotal AMBSE projects. These include upcoming major events in Atlanta, like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the NFL's 2028 Super Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium; upgrades to the stadium and the creation of a state-of-the-art training complex for our upcoming NWSL team launching in 2028; plus various business growth and organizational initiatives in development. Beyond his CEO duties at AMBSE, Rich remains on my board of trustees, an associate director of our family foundation, co-chair of the NFL Competition Committee (a role he's held for over 30 years), and the incoming chair of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce board for 2026. I'm profoundly thankful for Rich's more than two decades of direct Falcons leadership, which included some of our most triumphant eras.
And this is the part most people miss: Building trust isn't about flashy speeches—it's about real actions and unwavering commitment. Honesty, hard work, and responsibility must shine through in how we function and deliver. From here on, every choice will revolve around one goal: Crafting a roster built for lasting dominance and Super Bowl contention. I'm optimistic that this refreshed football framework and command team will have us back in the thick of the race soon. We're intensely focused on recruiting exceptional talent for these spots and equipping them for success during this pivotal offseason.
We stand in one of the most football-proud cities and states in the nation, and steering this franchise feels like a personal mission to me. Though I'm deeply saddened that the Falcons won't make the playoffs this season, our team boasts a strong foundation of seasoned pros and promising young stars that will draw in elite leaders eager to jump in and restore us to our rightful place.
I want you to know how much I appreciate your unwavering devotion, faith, and persistence in cheering us on, even through the tough patches. I feel a burning need to nail this for your sake. We're all in on the grind—embracing the hard calls and making the necessary investments to give you the victories you truly deserve. This community means the world to me, and I understand just how vital the Falcons' success is to each of you.
Thank you for sticking by us. You merit nothing less than excellence, and I'm resolute in taking every measure to achieve it.
With heartfelt thanks,
Arthur
But here's where it gets controversial: Is overhauling the entire leadership structure from the top down the bold move we need, or could it risk disrupting the team's chemistry? What do you think—should we trust outsiders to redefine our identity, or is there value in building on existing talent? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own take on how to get the Falcons back to glory!
