(104.3 The Score) The NFL on Friday officially announced the Bears won’t receive draft pick compensation under the Rooney Rule for assistant general manager Ian Cunningham’s departure from Chicago to become the Atlanta Falcons’ new general manager.
The Bears were hoping to obtain a pair of third-round compensatory draft picks – one in each of the next two NFL Drafts – as part of a policy that rewards clubs when minority executives like Cunningham or coaches leave for promotions to become the lead football decision-maker or head coach.
Bears chairman George McCaskey, president Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles recently visited with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to formally appeal the NFL’s decision. On Friday, the league said the matter is now closed.
“The policy is designed to provide picks for the primary football executive position," the NFL said in a statement. "The league determined Mr. Cunningham did not fill that role with the Falcons as it is defined in league rules.”
The Falcons' front office structure is led by president of football Matt Ryan, who has publicly acknowledged that he defers personnel decisions to Cunningham. Even as Cunningham makes the decisions, the NFL views Ryan as the top football executive in Atlanta.
Atlanta’s current structure is similar to the previous one utilized by the Falcons, who prior to hiring Ryan and Cunningham had a team president and general manager. The Saints were awarded compensatory draft picks when they lost Terry Fontenot to the Falcons' general manager job in 2021.
The NFL unveiled its full order for the 2026 draft back in March, with that list including the compensatory draft picks. They didn’t include any compensatory picks for the Bears, who continued to push the league to reconsider.
The Bears presently own seven selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, including No. 25 overall in the first round and two selections in the second round.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
