The Atlanta Falcons have a long history of frustrating hires at head coach and general manager that often led to questionable quarterback decisions.
This is partially why Matt Ryan remains a franchise legend and the best player in the history of the organization. It was a period of rare stability and one that the front office and coaching regimes were unable to reward. In Ryan's tenure, the QB never played with a truly great defense and rarely had stability along his offensive line. The one thing the legend was given was consistent skill players.
Atlanta's author of many of these roster struggles is former GM Thomas Dimitroff. Spending the 2008-2020 seasons in the role, Dimitroff had far more misses than hits, not earning many fans among the Atlanta faithful. It is a tortured fan base looking for any reason to believe, and so often the GM would give false hope with big moves that didn't pan out.
Unfortunately, Dimitroff just gave Falcons fans another reason to maintain their disdain towards him.
Source: The Saints have hired ex-Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff as a consultant. Dimitroff spent 3-plus years as SumerSports CEO before leaving the company in April, and was with New Orleans thru camp.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 2, 2025
He'll help GM Mickey Loomis in all facets. Team will announce the hire soon.
Former Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff Takes Surprise Role with Division Rival
Dimitroff has spent the last three years out of the league, but according to NFL insider Albert Breer, this has changed.
The ex-Falcons exec has taken a consulting role with Mickey Loomis and the New Orleans Saints. It seems fitting that the one organization that would hire the former Falcon is the hated rival. New Orleans has a long history of making poor decisions. Each of the past seasons has been a clear message that a rebuild is needed, and yet the Saints continue to double down on their veterans.
Loomis does have the right idea, bringing in Dimitroff to help with a potential rebuild. Considering the former Atlanta GM so often pushed the Falcons into what felt to be a never-ending rebuild, he has vast experience in that department, lending himself to helping a failing franchise. There is also the upside that Dimitroff simply cannot make the current situation in New Orleans any worse.
The Saints are purposely starting a season with Spencer Rattler as their No. 1 quarterback, easily making them among the NFL's worst teams. It is going to be fun for Falcons fans to sit back and enjoy the misery of a fan base that has taken similar joy in Atlanta's struggles. Dimitroff helping author the next series of decisions makes it all the sweeter.
While Atlanta fans wished Dimitroff no ill will despite the overwhelming frustration, this changes things. Choosing to join a hated rival is just a career move for the exec, but one that is going to catch the ire of Atlanta fans. Choosing to join the failing organization feels fitting and frustrating at the very same time.
No question, it only adds more fuel to a raging level of disdain for the Saints and everything associated with the destined basement dwellers of the NFC South. For Dimitroff, at least, it is a chance to get his foot back in the door at the NFL level, even if it does come with a franchise that will have Atlanta fans sitting back and enjoying what will be a dumpster fire of a season.