There is a new twist in the Ian Cunningham saga.
In case you somehow missed it, the Atlanta Falcons hired Ian Cunningham as their new general manager last week. Since then, we have discussed the fallout from this news — which is layered and a bit complex. We dissected Cunningham’s role with the Chicago Bears as the right-hand man for General Manager Ryan Poles, as well as potential replacement candidates were part of a greater discussion. However, the Bears not getting compensatory draft picks for losing Cunningham to another team has been the point of contention regarding his departure.
Early reporting on the situation from around the league is that the Bears were not expected to get compensatory draft picks for losing Ian Cunningham. If that is how the cookie crumbles, it would be a tough break for Chicago. It would also represent a step away from precedent that was set years ago when the San Francisco 49ers were given draft pick compensation after losing Martin Mayhew to the Washington Football Team. Mayhew was given the general manager title, but fell behind Ron Rivera as the lead football decision-maker in a way that is similar to how the Falcons are set up with Cunningham being under Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan.
Even still … the consensus reporting is that the Bears aren’t set to get compensation for seeing Ian Cunningham leave because he isn’t seen as the organization’s top football decision-maker. Well, about that…
#Falcons president Matt Ryan says GM Ian Cunningham will be the one driving the ship and in charge when it comes to the draft and free agency.(? @NFLonCBS) pic.twitter.com/i9jg4OKM1K
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 5, 2026The NFL has no good reason not to give the Bears comp picks after losing Ian Cunningham
This is what Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan had to say about new General Manager Ian Cunningham’s role with the team:
“Ian’s in charge. Ian’s in charge of that space. I’m looking forward to learning about this. I said it the other day in Ian’s presser. I’ve never sat in a draft meeting. Monday is going to be the first time I’m sitting in a draft meeting, and I’ve got a lot to learn. Sitting, observing, being a fly on the wall. If there’s something that Ian has a question about or something I can help with, I’m all ears and I’m happy to share my opinion. But Ian is driving this boat, and he is the one that is leading us moving forward.”
How can someone not listen to Matt Ryan outline Ian Cunningham’s role down to the detail and come away believing that the new general manager isn’t the top football decision-maker in Atlanta? It seems like it would be impossible to me. I’m not sure if the Bears are going to contest it if they don’t get compensatory draft picks for losing Cunningham. However, if there were to be a hearing on the matter, this (along with previous statements from Ryan and Falcons owner Arthur Blank that we discussed here) would make for some quality evidence for Chicago’s case.
In the end, the NFL should want to give the Bears compensatory draft picks to wrap up this ordeal. The organization did right by hiring him as their first-ever assistant GM, helped him hone his craft, championed his cause as a candidate, and lent a helping hand en route to him getting his first gig as a general manager. This league should be rewarding the Bears *AND* making it known that this is how the NFL’s diversity programs can properly work in a way that makes the league, on the whole, better.
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