Bears Persist in Controversial Battle Over NFL Compensatory Picks

Chicago team continues fighting league's decision to deny them draft selections after losing top executive.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:35pm

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The Chicago Bears are not giving up in their quest to receive two compensatory draft picks from the NFL after the departure of former assistant GM Ian Cunningham, who was hired as the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. The league has denied the Bears those picks, saying that Cunningham was not the 'primary football executive' and that role belonged to Bears president of football operations Matt Ryan.

Why it matters

The Bears believe they are entitled to the compensatory picks under the NFL's Rooney Rule policy, which is designed to promote diversity in coaching and executive hires. The team is continuing to fight the league's decision, which they view as unfair, though the 2026 draft order has already been set.

The details

The NFL has maintained that the policy for receiving compensatory picks pertains to the 'head coach or the primary football executive,' a role they believe belonged to Bears president Matt Ryan, not the newly hired Cunningham. The Bears disagree with this interpretation and are pressing the league to reconsider during the NFL Annual League Meeting.

  • The Bears were expecting to receive two compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
  • The league denied the Bears those picks when the 2026 comp pick selections were released.
  • The Bears are currently fighting the decision at the NFL Annual League Meeting.

The players

Chicago Bears

The NFL team based in Chicago, Illinois that is engaged in a battle with the league over compensatory draft picks.

Ian Cunningham

Former assistant general manager of the Chicago Bears who was hired as the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, triggering the Bears' claim for compensatory picks.

Matt Ryan

President of football operations for the Chicago Bears, whom the NFL believes was the 'primary football executive' rather than Cunningham.

NFL

The professional American football league that has denied the Bears' claim for compensatory picks.

Atlanta Falcons

The NFL team that hired Ian Cunningham as their general manager, leading to the Bears' claim for compensatory picks.

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What they’re saying

“'The policy for receiving picks pertains to the head coach or the primary football executive. The primary football executive position was filled by Matt Ryan.'”

— NFL

“'I'm the general manager, I was hired, I would think they would get two third-round picks. I don't know the wording of it, that's just my perspective. Again, I wouldn't be sitting here if it weren't for them giving me that job and helping me grow to get this job right now.'”

— Ian Cunningham, General Manager, Atlanta Falcons

“'I'm not doing the scouting. I'm not running the meetings. The general manager role is going to be exactly the same.'”

— Matt Ryan, President of Football Operations, Chicago Bears

What’s next

The Bears expect to receive an answer from the NFL on their appeal for the compensatory picks soon.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities and ambiguities in the NFL's Rooney Rule policy, which is intended to promote diversity in coaching and executive hires but has led to this dispute over the Bears' entitlement to compensatory draft picks. The outcome could set an important precedent for how the league applies this policy going forward.