Falcons president Rich McKay has signed a five-year contract extension, team officials confirmed on Sunday.
McKay is currently in his sixth season as the team president. He was relieved of his general manager duties after the 2007 season.
McKay has been heavily involved in helping first-time general manager Thomas Dimitroff manage the salary cap and with contract negotiations. He is co-chair of the league's powerful competition committee along with Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher.
McKay handles all business operations for the franchise including community relations, human resources, retail, marketing, finance, ticket sales and football communications.
McKay will also continue to serve as Atlanta's liason with the NFL office regarding all football and business-related matters.
McKay is working with Falcons owner Arthur Blank on pursuing a new stadium as the club nears the expiration of its lease term with the Georgia Dome.
Over the last two seasons, McKay has been linked to other front office openings around the league. Cleveland received permission to talk to McKay last season.
In hasn't all been smooth sailing for McKay during his tenure with the Falcons.
He oversaw the team through the tumultuous Michael Vick federal dog-fighting scandal and played a key role in the hiring of failed head coaches Jim Mora and Bobby Petrino.
Also, McKay's drafts and free agent signings were not spectacular. Cornerback Jimmy Williams, the team's top pick in 2006, is out of football. Jamaal Anderson, the No. 8 overall pick in 2007, is solid but has been out-performed by players like San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis and New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, who were selected after him.
McKay's four drafts have produced six starters and just one Pro Bowler, wide receiver Roddy White.
McKay did pull off the trade for defensive end John Abraham in 2006, but that was a year after the team signed Ed Hartwell to a six-year, $26.5 million contract as unrestricted free agent in 2005.
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