Ian Cunningham possibly getting a new job (in part) because Ryan Poles has a long-standing relationship with Matt Ryan isn’t something I had on my 2026 bingo card, but it is a storyline that I am watching develop.
Yes, the Chicago Bears are one day away from hosting the Green Bay Packers in a playoff game. But these tweets from NFL insiders Dianna Russini and Albert Breer certainly grabbed my attention and reminded me that this league is in constant motion:
It’s widely believed around the NFL that Matt Ryan will indeed become the Falcons’ new president of football.Ryan & Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles are very close friends, dating back to their playing days at BC. I’m told Poles has been helping Ryan on the entire hiring process.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 9, 2026Two GM connections we pointed out last week worth reiterating …• Matt Ryan is very close/former teammates with Bears GM Ryan Poles, which positions Ian Cunningham well in Atlanta.• 49ers exec Josh Williams has a strong rapport with Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel from SF.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 6, 2026Ryan Poles, Matt Ryan, Ian Cunningham, and a tangled web of football friendship
Let’s see if Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles can use his long-standing connection with Matt Ryan to get his Assistant GM, Ian Cunningham, a promotion.
Yeah, that isn’t a sentence I was expecting to write when this football season kicked off back in September. Nor would I have guessed that Ryan Poles’ connection to Matt Ryan being something that could ultimately result in the Chicago Bears losing one of their top front office executives. But we are awfully close to that reality presenting itself.
FALCONS REPORTEDLY REQUESTED INTERVIEW WITH BEARS ASSISTANT GM IAN CUNNINGHAM
If you’ll recall, Bears General Managery Ryan Poles was Boston College’s left tackle when Matt Ryan was quarterbacking for the Eagles. Ryan would go on to have a stellar NFL playing career, mostly with the Atlanta Falcons — a fracnshise that appears to be on the cusp of installing him as a high-ranking member of the organization with a newly created position. And once Ryan officially gets the gig, his past with Poles could lead him to install the Bears GM’s top lieutenant.
Sometimes, in life, it is as much about who you know than it is what you know. When it comes to Ian Cunningham’s candidacy for the open Falcons GM job, the combination of those things could lead to his departure from Chicago. And if that is how the cookie crumbles, the Bears will be in a position to receive compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. It would also open up a high-ranking front office position as the second in command behind Bears General Manager Ryan Poles. There are a bunch of moving parts here to keep tabs on, but I’m not ready to pull any levers just yet.
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I like the idea of having Ian Cunningham around as Ryan Poles’ right-hand man. Do you remember the time he saved the Bears a draft pick? Having someone like that in your corner can be so valuable. However, everyone who works hard and climbs the ladder deserves a chance to run their own show. And after watching Cunningham get a bunch of interviews in recent years, only to see teams choose other options, it feels like we’re reaching the point where he is overdue for a new gig. Perhaps his time is coming soon with the Falcons. Stay tuned.
Chicago Bears Assistant GM Ian Cunningham (Screen shot via Chicago Bears/YouTube)Hence then, the article about ryan poles friendship with matt ryan could get ian cunningham a new job was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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