Following a season filled with as much organizational success as the Chicago Bears had in 2025, it’s understandable that other teams would be looking to replicate that outcome. It’s natural in the NFL for coaches and front-office members on high-achieving teams to garner outside interest for better positions. Following an 11-6 season and a Divisional round appearance, the Bears fall within this category, and now they’ve lost one of their best background pieces.
It was announced on January 29 that the Atlanta Falcons are signing former Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham as their new GM, per Adam Schefter.
“Cunningham was one of the top candidates for the past few years and was a regular on Albert Breer’s annual future GMs list,” Jerry Markarian of Sports Illustrated wrote.
“He was a finalist for the Cardinals‘ open GM job two years ago (before removing his hat from the ring) and the Titans and Commanders jobs last offseason.”
A leading front office spot was more a matter of when, not if, for Cunningham, and while this is a great opportunity for him, it could be a massive loss for the Bears.
Ian Cunningham had a Significant Impact on Ryan Poles’ Decisions
The Bears hit numerous home runs in their 2025 draft class. The Bears had several key rookie contributors throughout the season, including Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, Ozzy Trapilo, Kyle Monangai, and more.
Ryan Poles was rightfully credited for the team’s draft haul, but Cunningham played a significant role as well. Cunningham has been with Poles since 2022, when both joined the franchise, and has helped Poles greatly in their four seasons together.
Chris Kwiecinski of Fox 32 Chicago helped frame Cunningham’s impact on the team and resourcefulness as they listed him as a “major voice in Poles’ ear”.
Sports Illustrated provided an example of how Cunningham’s presence affected Poles’ writing: “he also did a great job of talking Poles down from some ill-advised trades in the war room. Poles was actually mulling over trading up for Rome Odunze in the 2024 NFL Draft before Cunningham convinced him to stay patient.”
It remains to be seen how Poles will operate without Cunningham for the first time in Chicago.
Sports Illustrated reported that “Jeff King, their current senior director of player personnel, is a name to keep an eye on as his potential replacement. He has been a member of their front office since 2019 and is considered a well-respected figure in the front office.”
Bears Will Not Receive Any Compensatory Selections for Cunningham Loss
GettyKevin Stefanski was welcomed as the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons by owner Arthur Blank and president of football Matt Ryan on January 17.
Under the Rooney Rule, typically, teams receive compensatory draft selections if they develop minority candidates who take top decision-maker jobs in the NFL for opposing teams. An example of a decision-maker job would typically be a head coach or general manager. However, CBS Sports reported that this will not apply to Cunningham because of his hiring for the Atlanta job specifically.
“This job is not what the league office considers the ‘primary football executive’ position”, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported.
Essentially, the Falcons announced the hiring of former quarterback Matt Ryan as their new president of football earlier this month of January 10. They also announced that he will be the lead decision maker, which, by virtue, makes Cunningham a “secondary football executive,” and not the primary.
As of now, the Bears will walk into April’s draft with a solid seven selections, including the 25th overall pick. Bears fans will have to wait and see if the team is able to replicate their own success next season, as they will look to add the finishing piece to complete a Super Bowl-contending roster.
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