INDIANAPOLIS — The Chicago Bears imagine they need to obtain draft compensation after the Atlanta Falcons employed Ian Cunningham as basic supervisor final month and are disputing the matter with the NFL.
In 2020, NFL homeowners accredited a proposal that rewards groups compensatory third-round picks in consecutive drafts for growing minority entrance workplace and training expertise which are then employed by different groups as head coaches and basic managers.
Cunningham, who’s Black, was the assistant basic supervisor in Chicago from 2022 to 2025. He was employed by the Falcons as their basic supervisor on Jan. 29, however as a result of Matt Ryan — Atlanta’s president of soccer — is taken into account the staff’s main soccer government, the Bears usually are not in line to obtain draft compensation after his departure.
“I type of put that complete factor into two buckets,” Bears basic supervisor Ryan Poles mentioned. “One, I am actually proud that Ian has this chance to be a basic supervisor. It is one thing we have talked about for a very long time, earlier than we had been even employed by the Bears. It was our imaginative and prescient to climb via the ranks, to get a seat, the GM seat after which assist the opposite one get to their place as nicely. So I am actually joyful for him.
“How we do this and why we do this has nothing to do with compensation in any way. I wish to make that very clear. There is a algorithm that has been put in place that I feel might be utilized to this case. So we now have communicated via the best channels. We’ll see what occurs going ahead.”
Cunningham additionally believes the Bears ought to obtain draft compensation together with his departure.
“It was at all times my interpretation that if a basic supervisor will get employed, that staff would obtain two third-round picks,” Cunningham mentioned. “I am the overall supervisor. I used to be employed. I’d suppose that they’d get two third-round picks.
“That is simply my perspective. I would not be sitting right here if it weren’t for them giving me that job and serving to me develop to get this job.”
Poles mentioned the Bears are “ready on a solution” from the league workplace on whether or not Chicago will obtain third-round picks within the 2026 and 2027 drafts. Compensatory picks are sometimes introduced earlier than the brand new league 12 months in March.
“Will probably be as much as the league and the way they see it,” Poles mentioned.
Whereas Poles believes the Bears are due compensation primarily based on league bylaws, the sentiment of the rule has by no means sat proper with the 39-year-old basic supervisor.
“I imply I will be sincere,” Poles mentioned of his view on the rule. “I feel it’s a little unusual. On the finish of the day, you need to wish to develop your employees whatever the coloration of their pores and skin. I feel that’s vital. I feel we take a whole lot of satisfaction with the Bears in our setup and I take a whole lot of satisfaction in that. So to be compensated for that could be a little unusual. I noticed the Chiefs get a choose due to me after which I watched that participant go and play. It is just a bit odd. But when on the finish of the day, they suppose that is what is finest to assist incentivize, then that is what they wish to do. However on the finish of the day, like I mentioned, that is not the aim of why we develop our employees. But when that’s the rule they’ve in place, I feel it’s extremely clear within the state of affairs what ought to occur. We’ll see what they suppose.”
