Ian Cunningham questions NFL over Bears not getting draft compensation after Falcons hire

The 2025 season for the Chicago Bears was a resounding success. They made the playoffs, won the NFC North, and beat the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round.

Caleb Williams looks to have taken the next step, and Ben Johnson has been a great fit in Chicago so far. Now in the offseason, Ryan Poles and the Bears have some work to do. But there is one issue: the lack of compensation for losing Ian Cunningham.

The new Atlanta Falcons GM was a big hire, and his hiring should give the Bears multiple third-round picks. But, they seemingly aren't. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Cunningham himself questioned the NFL as to why the Bears aren't getting those picks.

Bears defended by Ian Cunningham over compensatory picks

According to Jason Lieser of The Chicago Sun-Times, "Falcons GM Ian Cunningham, formerly of the Bears, says his understanding of the NFL's rule is that the Bears should get two 3rd-round picks because of the Falcons' hiring of him."

The Bears losing Cunningham to the Falcons' general manager job should give the Bears two third-round picks due to the Rooney Rule, rewarding teams for developing talent for head coach and general manager jobs.

But, as of now, the Bears are not in line to receive that compensation despite deserving it. Bears fans have been frustrated, rightfully so, and now Cunningham is joining in.

While Cunningham has been a riser in NFL circles for some time, this ascension to the Falcons general manager job is a big one. The Bears should receive two third-rounders based on the NFL rules.

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Why the Bears haven't gotten confirmation that they should receive these compensatory picks is unknown. Matt Ryan being a high-level executive in Atlanta might be partially why.

But with Cunningham having all of the duties of a GM, there's no difference from other GM jobs around the league.

This issue is one that will be a storyline until it's resolved, and not only are the Bears and their fans rightfully frustrated, but Cunningham is also questioning the NFL over the lack of compensatory picks given to Chicago for his departure for the Falcons GM job.

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