In January, a source told ChiCitySports that Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson “wouldn’t be unhappy” if assistant general manager Ian Cunningham became the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, even if the team received no compensatory draft picks in return for Ryan Poles’ understudy.
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Bears senior director of player personnel Jeff King was expected to be the “prime” candidate to replace Cunningham.
Cunningham indeed became the second primary football executive for the Falcons.
Per the Bears, King has been promoted to assistant general manager.
Jeff King has been promoted to Assistant General Manager 🐻⬇️
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 19, 2026
Just like that, Johnson got his wish right before the NFL Scouting Combine is set to take place next week in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“We congratulate Jeff on his elevation within our football operations department,” Poles said in a statement, via the Bears. “Jeff has earned this promotion through his commitment to our team and his excellence within our operation, as well as the positive impact that he has created throughout our organization.
“We look forward to Jeff’s continued leadership and contributions as we work toward building a sustained winner.”
Jeff King has a big spring ahead of him with the Chicago Bears
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King was a former NFL tight end for the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. He started his scouting career with the Bears in 2015 as an intern.
Since joining the Bears, King has taken on roles with Chicago as pro scout, assistant director of pro scouting, director of pro scouting, and co-director of player personnel.
Now he’s one step away from becoming a general manager.
The announcement came on King’s birthday. The new assistant general manager is turning 43.
“I’m super lucky,” said King. “I’ve been here 12 years. That doesn’t happen. When I walked in here 12 years ago as an intern, I didn’t think it would go this far, but I’ve been very lucky and appreciative of this organization because it is special.”
The Bears are in a good spot with a roster that just made the Divisional Round under Johnson in his first season with the team.
The upcoming 2026 NFL Draft will be critical for King, Poles and Chicago to build out a Super Bowl contender with quarterback Caleb Williams on the third-year of his rookie contract.
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