WATCH: Former NFL Executive Predicts Falcons to Fire Terry Fontenot

Despite Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank reassuring the media that Terry Fontenot's job as general manager is safe, a former NFL executive is ignoring that.

While the Atlanta Falcons have started the process of finding their coach after the firing of Arthur Smith early Monday morning, the search for candidates hasn't been the dominating headline or conversation on social media. Rather, it has been the absence of Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot from the team's press conference that occurred late Monday afternoon. 

Only team owner Arthur Blank and CEO Rich McKay met with the media in the aftermath of the coaching change. While Fontenot had other business to attend to at the team's facility in Flowery Branch, according to the pair. And despite Blank telling the press that his absence wasn't something that should be looked into, it is already causing waves on social media. 

Most notably, former NFL general manager and now-turned-analyst Michael Lombardi is among those doing exactly what Blank said not to do.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank (left) and general manager Terry Fontenot (right) / Clutchpoints

"That tells me Fontenot is gone," Lombardi said of Fontenot's absence from the press conference. "That tells me they're going to clean house. That tells me they're big-game hunting. And if something happens up in New England, I think they're going to be big-game hunting on [Bill Belichick] and they should." 

The @AtlantaFalcons won't have GM Terry Fontenot lead the HC search. That tells me Fontenot's gone and Arthur Blank is big-game hunting. If something happens in New England, he's coming - and he's coming heavy.

Check out #GMShuffle on @DKNetwork at https://t.co/b4sYN4CC91 pic.twitter.com/6HPQaihFhA

— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) January 9, 2024

"Big-game hunting" may be a good description of what the Falcons are looking for in their next coach. As Blank and McKay explained Monday, they want a coach who can help take the franchise to the next level, which is contending and winning championships. ... 

And while Belichick (if he is available) may become a potential target for the Falcons, Lombardi is assuming he'd want control over the personnel department. 

Yes, Belichick has been the de facto general manager in New England for the entirety of his 24-year tenure, yet his recent press conference Monday may be a sign that he could be open to just being the coach if he leaves Foxboro.

“I’m for whatever collectively we decide as an organization is the best thing to help our football team,” Belichick said when asked about relinquishing control over the personnel department. “I have multiple roles in that. I rely on a lot of people to help me in those responsibilities. If somebody’s gotta have the final say, I have it. I rely on a lot of other people to help. Whatever that process is, I’m only part of it.”

Inside Falcons Decision to Fire Smith: 'I Was Significantly Disappointed'

But that is hypothetical at this point, as Belichick is still the coach in New England, and the Falcons are looking for a coach, not a general manager. 

"Terry is our general manager," Blank said, "and he will be heavily involved in the process going forward. ... Don't read anything into him not being here other than he's our partner, he's our general manager, he will definitely be a part of this process as we go forward."