NFL explains why Bears won't receive compensatory picks for Falcons hiring Ian Cunningham as GM
The league made its final ruling on Chicago's comp pick appeal.
It’s official: The Chicago Bears won’t get any compensatory picks for losing former assistant general manager Ian Cunningham this offseason, the NFL announced Friday . The Atlanta Falcons hired Cunningham as their new GM , and the Bears argued that, as a result, they should have been rewarded comp picks due to Resolution JC-2A. Under that policy, passed in 2020 to help promote diversity in the league , franchises that develop minority personnel into head coaches and GMs of other teams are to be compensated with third-round draft picks.
According to the NFL, though, Cunningham didn’t fit the criteria because of his current position with the Falcons, who ushered in a new leadership structure this year. “The matter is now closed following the club’s appeal,” the league stated, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport . “The NFL informed the Bears today they will not receive compensatory picks.
The policy is designed to provide picks for the Primary Football Executive position. The League determined Mr. Cunningham did not fill that role with the Falcons as it is defined in League rules.
” The #Bears have been lobbying for draft pick compensation following the hire of Ian Cunningham as #Falcons GM. Today, the NFL responded stating there will be no picks coming: “The matter is now closed following the club’s appeal. The NFL informed the Bears today they will not… — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2026 While Cunningham is the Falcons’ GM by title, and is carrying out the team’s GM duties, he’s technically under Matt Ryan in the team’s front office pecking order.