Bears Owner Spells Out Why Team Deserves Comp Picks

George McCaskey makes a compelling case for the Bears to receive compensatory draft picks under the Rooney Rule.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:36am

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Chicago Bears owner George McCaskey argued that the team should receive two third-round compensatory draft picks under the NFL's Rooney Rule after assistant GM Ian Cunningham left to become the Falcons' general manager. McCaskey said the Bears properly developed Cunningham, a minority candidate, and gave him the necessary experience to become a GM, meeting the Rooney Rule's requirements. However, the NFL has denied the Bears the compensatory picks, a decision McCaskey believes is unjustified and a violation of the rule's intent.

Why it matters

The Rooney Rule is intended to promote diversity in NFL coaching and front office hires, but the league's denial of the Bears' compensatory picks raises questions about whether the rule is being applied consistently and effectively. This case could set an important precedent for how the Rooney Rule is interpreted and enforced going forward.

The details

McCaskey said the Bears identified Cunningham as a talented minority candidate, recruited him, created a position for him, and gave him supervisory duties and the opportunity to make decisions alongside GM Ryan Poles. This, McCaskey argued, is exactly what the Rooney Rule is designed to incentivize. However, the NFL has denied the Bears the two third-round compensatory picks they believe they are entitled to under the rule.

  • The Bears met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York to appeal the league's initial decision to deny them the compensatory picks.
  • The NFL draft begins on April 23, so a decision on the Bears' appeal is needed soon.

The players

George McCaskey

The owner and board chairman of the Chicago Bears.

Ian Cunningham

The former assistant general manager of the Chicago Bears who left to become the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons.

Ryan Poles

The general manager of the Chicago Bears.

Roger Goodell

The commissioner of the National Football League.

Arthur Blank

The owner of the Atlanta Falcons.

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What they’re saying

“We think what we did is what the league wants every member club to do. We identified diverse talent, we recruited him, we created a position for him. We allowed him access to the general manager role to work hand in hand with Ryan Poles. We allowed him to make mistakes and to learn from those mistakes. We gave him supervisory duties.”

— George McCaskey, Owner and Board Chairman, Chicago Bears

“The league has to think big picture. What are the consequences of us ruling in particular way in this particular case, and how would that be applied to the other 30 teams in the future.”

— George McCaskey, Owner and Board Chairman, Chicago Bears

What’s next

The NFL is expected to make a decision on the Bears' appeal for the compensatory draft picks before the 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges in consistently applying the Rooney Rule and raises questions about whether the NFL is truly committed to promoting diversity in its coaching and front office ranks. The Bears believe they have met the rule's requirements, but the league's denial of the compensatory picks suggests there may be loopholes or inconsistencies in how the rule is interpreted and enforced.