Ex Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff joins the Saints

Dimitroff served as the Falcons GM from 2008-2020, which remains the most successful run in franchise history. The primary reason for that was Matt Ryan, who was Dimitroff’s first ever draft pick as general manager.

Dimitroff led the Falcons to the playoffs six times, winning the NFC South on three separate occasions and making one Super Bowl, a night we’d all like to forget. His tenure as GM was a mixed bag. He hit some home runs, like with Ryan and the trade for Julio Jones, but he consistently struggled in the draft when it came to defensive players, something that has plagued current Falcons GM Terry Fontenot as well.

The hope is that trend is bucked in 2025. The Falcons spent their first four draft picks on defensive players, and all of them are expected to be significant contributors come Week 1. James Pearce Jr. has been the star of the preseason. Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. both won their respective position battles and will start in the Falcons Week 1 matchup against the Bucs. Additionally, 15th overall pick Jalon Walker is expected to be active after dealing with a groin injury leading up to the season.

It’s looking like Thomas Dimitroff will be Mickey Loomis’ right hand man in New Orleans, a job that comes with a lot of responsibility. The Saints don’t have a clear-cut starter at quarterback, lack talent on both sides of the ball, and have a messy cap situation. They are justing beginning a pretty significant rebuild, much like the Falcons were when Dimitroff took over in Atlanta.