When former Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham left the team for the Atlanta Falcons, it seemed the Bears would be rewarded with two third round compensatory draft picks, but that did not happen.
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The NFL rewards teams with compensatory draft picks when a minority candidate leaves for a head coaching or general manager upgrade. Cunningham left the Bears to become the general manager for the Falcons.
However, the Bears will not be rewarded these draft picks due to the Falcons having Matt Ryan as their “primary football executive”.
The former Falcons quarterback and now head of football operations now has shockingly admitted what Cunningham’s role will be.
The Chicago Bears have gotten screwed by the NFL
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Ryan confirmed in an interview with CBS Sports that Cunningham will be in charge of both the draft process and free agency.
Via Ari Meirov on X:
#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, 2026
This essentially confirms that Cunningham will be steering the ship in Atlanta. Which means the Bears should clearly get two third round picks in the 2026 draft.
Because Ryan still has the “final say” in football moves for the Falcons, the Bears won’t be rewarded with two very solid draft picks that could upgrade their team in a number of ways,
The Bears front office has to be absolutely furious with this.
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