The biggest changes are to the duties of general manager Thomas Dimitroff and assistant GM Scott Pioli.

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As part of the restructuring, Pioli, who joined the team last February, will report to Dimitroff but assume pro and college scouting and NFL Draft responsibilities. Dimitroff will retain management responsibility for salary cap, player affairs, equipment, sports medicine and performance, and video activities.   “After reviewing all of our options — internally and externally — I have no reservations that this is the best approach to setting up our player personnel groups for future success,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a team release. “It maximizes the talents of Scott, allows for more time and focus on all areas of our football operations groups managed by Thomas, and is in line with other player personnel groups in the league."

The move appears to be a demotion for Dimitroff, who has been the GM since 2008 but had been on the hot seat this year. CBS Sports reports he will retain oversight of football operations.

The Falcons fired coach Mike Smith on Dec. 29 and the new coach will report directly to Blank.

“While this decision was not tied to the head coach search currently under way, we also believe that independent thinking and collaboration will contribute to taking us to the next level in our league," Blank said in the release.

Pioli was the Patriots’ director of pro personnel for nine years before serving as the Chiefs’ general manager for four seasons. He and Dimitroff worked together in New England from 2002 to 2007.  “Scott is a trusted partner who has proven himself, time and again, during his 23-year NFL career,” Dimitroff said. “His thumbprint can be found on a number of Pro Bowl players during his NFL career, and he was a key contributor to the remarkable Super Bowl success of the Patriots during his tenure there. We look forward, and I do personally, to the many contributions he will make to our pro, college scouting and NFL Draft efforts going forward.”