Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles spoke to reporters at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday. He touched on a bunch of topics.
On Ian Cunningham and the compensatory draft pick situation
Bears General Manager Ryan Poles says the team has been in contact with the league about possibly receiving compensatory draft picks for losing former Assistant General Manager Ian Cunningham to the Atlanta Falcons. Traditionally, the NFL has given two compensatory draft picks to teams that develop minoirty front office candidates who leave for promotions. But the early reporting on the situaition has hinted that the league would not give Chicago compensatory picks despite Cunningham leaving for a promotion in Atlanta. The NFL even went as far as to share an explanaiton as to why the Bears aren’t getting picks.
But even Ian Cunningham doesn’t understand why the Bears aren’t set to receive compensation for his departure:
#Falcons GM Ian Cunningham expresses confusion on why the #Bears didn’t receive draft compensation for his hiring in Atlanta. Made it clear he wouldn’t have gotten the job without his time in Chicago. Said he doesn’t know the exact wording of the rule, but “I would think they…
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) February 24, 2026Given what Ryan Poles said on the matter, this situiaton seems far from resolved. Stay tuned.
Ryan Poles on Tyson Bagent trade rumors: “We’ve gotten a few calls there.”
The Chicago Bears GM did not rule out the possibility of trading backup quarterback Tyson Bagent. Additionally, Poles said that a few teams have called regarding the quarterback’s availability via trade. This bit of news comes one week after an Arizona-based reporter shared a news nugget about the Cardinals being “intrigued” by Bagent. We discussed that report here and explored what a possible trade could look like based on recent examples.
For what it’s worth, it does not sound like Ryan Poles is eager to trade Bagent. He said it was a tough decision because he has to weigh the team’s short-term interests (having a quality backup quarterback who can steward your team in case of an injury to QB1) and the team’s long-term interests (trading a backup for something that could help build out the current roster could be nice). And let’s not forget about the cost (whether it is with cap dollars or a draft pick) of finding a replacement.
Given the investment the Bears have made in unearthing Tyson Bagent as an undrafted free agent and the time spent in his development, I can see why the team might be hesitant to simply ship him off at the sign of the first offer. But with that being said, it sounds like this front office is open to that possibility. And while I don’t think Bagent will be traded for the sake of making a roster move, I am starting to envision a scenario in which Ryan Poles parts ways with his backup QB in a way that helps the team build its roster and provides Bagent an opportunity to win a starting job elsewhere.
Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn ImagesChicago Bears GM Ryan Poles at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
Some more highlights from Bears GM Ryan Poles at the NFL Scouting Combine.
More on the Ian Cunningham stituation and developing front office talent: “How we do that and why we do that has nothing to do with compensation whatsoever. I want to make that very clear. On the other side, there were a set of rules that were put in place that I think can be applied to this situation.” Ryan Poles on the Rooney Rule: “I’ll be honest. It is a little strange. At the end of the day, you should want to develop your staff regardless of the color of their skin. I think that’s important. I think we take a lot of pride with the Bears on how we have our setup. And I take a lot of pride in that. So to be compensated for that is a little strange. I saw the Chiefs get a pick because of me, and then I watched that player go and play. It’s just a little odd. But at the end of the day, if they think that’s what’s best to help incentivize, then that’s what they want to do. But that’s not the purpose of why we develop our staff. But if that’s the rule that’s in place, I think it’s clear what should happen.”THE BN BEARS PODCAST: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
Looking ahead to the offseason: “I think in the next few weeks we’ll see if we can get some clarity on that just in terms of retaining our own. I want to see how that plays out. As I said at the end of the season, we have more restraints now than we have before — further back in the draft, from a cap standpoint we have to clear some room there. So we have to be strategic, and like I’ve always said, it makes two to make it happen. We want to be really smart with the guard rails that we’ve put up. And if it falls under that, then great. If not, then we have to pivot to the next deal.” Ryan Poles shares 2026 NFL Draft Strategy: “Philosophically, I feel the same. It’s going to be the best player available. I know that may not be the most popular thing. On my board, you have yellow tags for we need to fill in. But at the same time, I do believe, especially in the early rounds, you really gotta stick to the best player available. We saw that last year. I know there were a lot of questions — you have Cole, why would you take Colston? — I think we found out that it helped us along the way. So we’ll continue to lean into that philosophy.”For more from the Chicago Bears general manager, you can watch the video below:
GM Ryan Poles is live with the media at the NFL Combine t.co/VKUJJfjzZB
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 24, 2026 Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about bears gm ryan poles sounds off at the scouting combine cunningham bagent 2026 nfl draft strategy more 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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