Perhaps this is the year that Ian Cunningham gets the opportunity to run his own show.
Cunningham is apparently a person of interest for the Atlanta Falcons, who reportedly have requested to interview the Chicago Bears assistant general manager for the team’s vacant general manager gig. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero has the scoop:
The Falcons requested an interview with Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham for their GM job, per source.Cunningham has been a finalist for multiple GM jobs in recent years. Bears GM Ryan Poles played at BC with Matt Ryan, who's widely expected to be ATL's new football president.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 6, 2026Falcons request interview with Bears Assistant GM Ian Cunningham
As NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero mentions above, this is not the first time a team has shown an interest in Bears Assistant General Manager Ian Cunningham as a candidate to fill a GM opening. Cunningham was reportedly offered the Arizona Cardinals’ general manager gig in 2023, but turned down the opportunity. Since then he has interviewed for GM jobs with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans (twice), Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders. It felt like the Jags were a perfect fit for Cunningham last offseason until Los Angeles Rams exec James Gladstone swooped in to snatch the gig. Maybe things will be different this time around.
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On the one hand, it has been nice to have Ian Cunningham around as the right-hand man for Bears General Manager Ryan Poles. Cunningham has provided a helping hand in building this team since arriving in 2022. And despite Chicago’s lack of success prior to this season, Cunningham has been able to land a hanful of GM interviews. That feels like a testament to how much respect folks around the league have for him. However, it hasn’t led to him getting a general manager opportunity of his own — yet.
(Screenshot via Chicago Bears/YouTube)At this time last year, Ian Cunningham had quite the balancing act making time for his responsibilities as assistant GM and exploring opportunities of his own. Cunningham told reporters that it “hurt” to be passed over for GM jobs in previous years, but relished the opportunity to continue working in Chicago. Again, it is possible that things work out differently for Cunningham this time around. Perhaps the Bears winning the NFC North for the first time since 2018 as the team makes its first playoff appearance since 2020 will provide his résumé with a boost.
If the Bears lose Ian Cunningham to the Falcons (or another another team) in the offseason, his departure would net Chicago’s front office a pair of compenatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. It would be nice to see Cunningham spread his wings, take off, and fly with an opportunity to be the boss — even if it meant the Bears would need to find someone to fill in that role.
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