Multiple reporters insisted that the NFL had ruled that the Chicago Bears would not receive any compensatory draft picks when assistant general manager Ian Cunningham became GM of the Atlanta Falcons. This was because, according to an odd rule, the president of football operations, Matt Ryan, was technically considered the “lead football decision-maker” in the organization. As a result, Cunningham becoming GM was nothing more than a title change, not a true promotion. Never mind that Ryan insisted on two different occasions that every roster decision was Cunningham’s to make.
Well, things took another interesting turn on Tuesday. Bears general manager Ryan Poles stepped to the podium for the first time since January at the scouting combine. The first question was his thoughts on the comp pick issue. It turns out he has been in contact with the NFL about it, believing that, according to the rules in place, the Bears should receive compensation. As of now, he has not gotten a reply on the subject. This means no actual decision has been made yet.
Ian Cunningham echoed Poles’ response.
The new Falcons GM was also at the podium Tuesday morning. He was asked for his take on the situation. From his perspective, Cunningham believes the Bears should receive compensation. While both men admit they wish the Rooney Rule weren’t necessary, the details make it pretty clear that Chicago should get those picks. It’s worth noting that former Bears scouting director Greg Gabriel said weeks ago that no decision was made. He said the NFL would not rule on it until it got the details of Cunningham’s contract.
If Atlanta put it in writing that he was indeed the primary football decision-maker, the Bears would be awarded the picks. A ruling on this probably won’t come until March at the earliest. The Management Council must review it. Until then, the Bears are stuck in limbo. Poles doesn’t have time to dwell on it. He made his case heard and will focus on other business. People may wonder why this is such a big deal. The fact is, every draft pick counts, especially for a team that is limited in spending money.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
Two 3rd-round compensatory picks would create additional opportunities for the Bears to find good players.
The comp pick issue is not dead. It’s all determined by what’s in the contract which wasn’t agreed to until last night. If Cunningham negotiated getting the 53 and it’s in his contract, the Bears get comp picks. To many jumped on what they thought was the issue when the real…
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) January 30, 2026
Former #Bears GM Ian Cunningham says he doesn’t know the official wording of the rule. But his interpretation is that the Bears should get the two draft picks for him being hired.
He said he wouldn’t be where he is now if not Chicago.
Interesting.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) February 24, 2026
Player Position Draft Year Team Overall Pick Notable Achievements
Hines Ward WR 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers 92 2x Super Bowl Champ, Super Bowl XL MVP, 4x Pro Bowler
Mike Vrabel LB 1997 Pittsburgh Steelers 91 3x Super Bowl Champ, 2007 First-Team All-Pro
James Conner RB 2017 Pittsburgh Steelers 105 2x Pro Bowler, over 6,000 career scrimmage yards
James Stewart RB 1995 Jacksonville Jaguars 95 2x 1,000-yard rusher, franchise leader for Jags/Lions
Landon Johnson LB 2004 Cincinnati Bengals 96 Started 53 games in 4 seasons with Bengals
Dustin Colquitt P 2005 Kansas City Chiefs 99 2x Pro Bowler, Super Bowl LIV Champ, played 15 seasons
Alex Highsmith OLB 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers 102 Key pass rusher, recorded 14.5 sacks in 2022
LeRoy Hill LB 2005 Seattle Seahawks 98 89 career starts, 20 career sacks for Seahawks
Ray McDonald DE 2007 San Francisco 49ers 97 68 starts and 19.5 sacks for 49ers
Derrick Rodgers LB 1997 Miami Dolphins 92 Started 6 seasons in Miami, over 500 career tackles
The Bears did the right thing.
They could’ve made a stink about it. Here are other teams, like San Francisco and Los Angeles, being awarded picks without any fuss after losing key assistants elsewhere. Then the Bears lose one of their key talent evaluators and get nothing because of a technicality. That is a bad look for the league and disincentivizes the rule, because now other teams know all they have to do is give another executive an arbitrary title “above” the GM, so the other team gets nothing in return.
Nothing about that makes sense. This is about fairness. Ian Cunningham was a vital part of the Bears’ front office for four years, helping build them into a contender. They were promised compensation if he was hired elsewhere, as per NFL rules. Whether this incentive should exist at all is irrelevant. Facts are facts. Cunningham is a minority hire. It’s been confirmed that he will hold all roster power. That means the Bears are owed those picks. This isn’t complicated.