According to a report from ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Detroit Lions executive Mike Disner’s recent interview with the Atlanta Falcons involved more than just their opening for team president.
Russini revealed that the Falcons interviewed Disner along with Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Panthers executive Brandt Tilis, and 49ers director of scouting Josh Williams, and that those meetings also “served as GM interviews.” In other words, Atlanta was evaluating candidates for both its president of football operations and general manager roles at the same time.
Why This Matters for the Detroit Lions
Disner has been a major part of Detroit’s front-office rise alongside general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. His involvement in roster building, organizational structure, and long-term vision has earned league-wide respect, and this report confirms that other franchises view him as more than just an executive; they see him as potential GM material.
Russini added that Disner was described as “tremendous” and “polished” during the process, further boosting his reputation as one of the NFL’s most impressive young front-office leaders.
Matt Ryan Hired, But Questions Remain
The Falcons ultimately hired former NFL MVP Matt Ryan as their new team president, seemingly closing that door for Disner. However, the revelation that Atlanta also evaluated him for its general manager role raises a new question: could Disner still be in the running for a GM job, either with the Falcons or another team in the future?
Lions Can Breathe — For Now
For now, the Lions can breathe a sigh of relief knowing one of the architects of their rebuild remains in Detroit. But with executive hiring season heating up around the league, it’s clear Mike Disner’s name is firmly on the radar of teams searching for their next top football decision-maker.
