Getty
Bears GM Ryan Poles
At the NFL Scouting Combine, GM Ryan Poles made one thing clear… The NFL hasn’t given the Chicago Bears a final answer, and he believes the rules support Chicago’s case.
The Bears are seeking two third-round compensatory picks following the departure of assistant general manager Ian Cunningham, who was hired as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons.
Under the Rooney Rule’s compensatory draft incentive structure, teams are awarded two third-round picks when a minority executive is hired away to become a club’s top personnel decision maker.
But Atlanta complicated matters by creating a president of football operations role for Matt Ryan before officially hiring Cunningham. League insiders have suggested that technical reporting structure could prevent Chicago from receiving those picks…
Poles isn’t buying that interpretation.
“It’s very clear”
GettyBears GM Ryan Poles
Speaking Tuesday morning at the Combine, Poles struck a careful but pointed tone.
“How we do that and why we do that has nothing to do with compensation whatsoever,” Poles said. “I want to make that very clear.”
He emphasized that developing staff (including helping Cunningham reach a GM seat) was always the priority. The draft picks, he said, are secondary. But that doesn’t mean the Bears are backing down.
“On the other side, there’s a set of rules that were put in place that I think can be applied to this situation,” Poles said. “We’ve communicated through the right channels. So we’ll see what happens as we move forward.”
The Chicago Bears, according to Poles, have not received a response from the league: “No one personally called me from the league,” he added.
For a franchise that believes the rule is straightforward, the silence has only amplified the tension.
Ian Cunningham backs the Bears
GettyBears GM Ryan Poles
Interestingly enough, even Ian Cunningham himself echoed that stance at the Combine.
“It was always my interpretation that if a general manager gets hired, a team would receive two third-round picks,” Cunningham said. “I’m the general manager and I was hired. I would think that they would get two third-round picks.”
Cunningham also reinforced that he is the one making roster decisions in Atlanta. By multiple accounts (including public comments from Ryan) Cunningham is running draft and free agency operations. That detail could prove pivotal.
If the spirit of the rule is to reward teams for developing minority executives into top personnel roles, the Bears’ case appears strong. If the league leans strictly on technical hierarchy, Chicago may be left empty handed.
For now though, the Chicago Bears are in limbo. Poles said clarity could come in the coming weeks, as compensatory selections for 2026 are expected to be finalized soon. Until then, Chicago remains in contact with the league office.
The tone from Poles wasn’t loud, but it was unmistakably firm. He praised Cunningham. He acknowledged the rule’s complexity. And he made it clear the Bears believe the outcome should be obvious.
“If that’s the rule they have in place,” Poles said, “it’s very clear what should happen.” Now, the league has to decide whether it agrees.
Garrett Klaus Garrett Klaus is a NFL contributor at Heavy.com, where he covers the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Carolina Panthers. More about Garrett Klaus
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