Bears Still Fighting for Compensatory Picks After Ian Cunningham Departure

The Chicago Bears aren’t done fighting for the compensatory draft picks they believe should be awarded to them after losing Ian Cunningham to the Atlanta Falcons.

The Bears expected to be rewarded under the NFL’s diversity hiring initiative.

Instead, they’re still waiting on a final decision from Roger Goodell while pushing back on the league’s position that, because Matt Ryan is viewed as the top football decision-maker in Atlanta, Chicago does not qualify for those compensatory picks.

The Chicago Bears Are Still Making Their Case

According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, team president Kevin Warren and chairman George McCaskey confirmed the Bears are appealing the NFL’s decision not to award compensatory picks for Cunningham’s departure.

That appeal has already reached the highest level.

Warren, McCaskey, and general manager Ryan Poles met with commissioner Roger Goodell in New York to present their case directly.

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And it isn't a complicated argument.

The Bears believe Cunningham’s hiring as general manager in Atlanta satisfies the Rooney Rule criteria that should qualify Chicago for two compensatory third-round picks.

Why This Matters for the Bears

This isn’t just about principle for Ryan Poles. It’s about real NFL draft value.

Two third-round picks can change how a team builds its roster. They offer flexibility, depth, and the ability to add starters without sacrificing premium assets.

For a Chicago Bears team still building around Caleb Williams, that kind of draft capital matters.

And remember, compensatory picks are now tradable, which gives the Bears added flexibility. That extra draft capital could help them move up the board for a higher-impact player.

Ryan Poles Leaves No Doubt About Ian Cunningham's Role

Poles didn’t dive into the legal or procedural side of the NFL's decision. Instead, he made it abundantly clear what he thinks of Cunningham's role with the Falcons.

“He is the G.M.,” Poles told Pro Football Talk. “He is the G.M. I’m learning — I mean you talk about things that are coming on your desk every day, management council things, different things like that, why they rule certain ways, why they don’t rule certain ways.

"I’m not experienced enough to give you a really credible answer on that at this point. I would say this, I think in every facet of the word, Ian’s a General Manager in this league.”

That’s as strong an endorsement as it gets, and it certainly feels like it's grounded in reality.

What the NFL Is Deciding

The NFL’s diversity hiring policy is designed to reward teams that develop minority candidates who go on to become head coaches or general managers.

The Bears believe Cunningham qualifies.

The league has not yet agreed.

That’s why this appeal matters. It could set a precedent moving forward for how teams structure their organizations, and whether the diversity hiring policy will need tweaks or modifications moving forward.

When a Decision on Bears' Compensatory Picks Could Come

According to Cronin, the Chicago Bears expect an answer soon.

That timeline suggests the league is actively reviewing the case, especially after direct discussions with Goodell.

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For now, Chicago is in a holding pattern. With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, Ryan Poles and his front office need to stay ready to adjust quickly if that extra Day 2 pick comes through.

The Bears' Bottom Line

The Chicago Bears aren’t just accepting the NFL’s decision and moving on.

They believe they followed the process, developed a candidate, and should be rewarded under the league’s own rules.

Now they’re waiting to see if the NFL agrees.

And if it does, the impact will show up on draft weekend.