Earlier this off-season Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles saw his top assistant, Ian Cunningham, hired away by the Atlanta Falcons. Per NFL rules, the Bears believed that they would be receiving two third-round compensatory picks. Cunningham, after all, was hired to be the Falcons general manager.
As he is an African American, Chicago expected that the NFL rule that rewards compensatory picks to organizations whose minority executives get hired as top executives elsewhere would apply.
However, Atlanta previously hired their former quarterback, Matt Ryan, as their President of Football. As of this writing, the NFL has declared that Cunningham is not the top executive for the Falcons. Therefore, the Bears will not receive any compensatory picks.
Chicago, however, is appealing that decision.
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles does not think there should even be a rule regarding minority execuitves
The controversy that has surrounded Cunningham and the Bears regarding draft compensation may have died weeks ago if not for one thing. Ryan is leaving all football personnel decisions up to Cunningham. On paper, the former Falcons quarterback is the top executive. But in practice, Cunningham is.
Poles, for his part, is pushing for the NFL to honor the Bears with the draft compensation they deserve. However, based on his comments at the NFL scouting combine, he does not believe there should even be a rule:
#Bears GM Ryan Poles says the NFL’s rule awarding two 3rd-round picks if a minority coach or executive leaves to become a GM or HC is a strange rule.
“At the end of the day, you should want to develop your staff regardless of the color of their skin.” https://t.co/X0XZFPGLxh pic.twitter.com/XTrl3jew0k
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 24, 2026
“At the end of the day, you should want to develop your staff regardless of the color of their skin,” Poles said.
Poles, of course, has a good point. In a perfect world, there would be no need for the rule that has been at the center of so much discussion as of late.
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