NFL Rejects Bears' Appeal for Compensatory Draft Picks After Falcons Hire Ian Cunningham

The league ruled that Cunningham is not the Falcons' primary football executive, with Matt Ryan holding that position.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract NFL draft room scene, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the competing interests and perspectives at play.The NFL's decision to deny the Bears compensatory draft picks for Ian Cunningham's departure exposes the complexities of the league's executive talent development policies.Chicago Today

The Chicago Bears will not receive any compensatory draft picks from the NFL after assistant GM Ian Cunningham left to become the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. The league rejected the Bears' appeal, stating that Cunningham did not fill the 'primary football executive' role with the Falcons as defined in league rules, with Matt Ryan holding that position.

Why it matters

Compensatory draft picks are an important mechanism for the NFL to reward teams that develop minority coaching and front office talent. The Bears felt they were entitled to the picks under the league's diversity-driven policy, but the NFL ultimately ruled against them, denying the Bears additional draft capital this year.

The details

The Bears had appealed the NFL's original decision, arguing that under Resolution JC-2A, they should receive a third-round pick in this year's draft and another in next year's draft for losing Cunningham to the Falcons. However, the league determined that Matt Ryan, not Cunningham, is considered the Falcons' primary football executive, making the Bears ineligible for the compensatory picks.

  • On April 3, 2026, the NFL rejected the Bears' appeal and informed the team they will not receive any compensatory draft picks.

The players

Ian Cunningham

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

Matt Ryan

The newly hired president of football operations for the Atlanta Falcons, whom the NFL deemed to be the team's primary football executive, rather than Cunningham.

Ryan Poles

The general manager of the Chicago Bears, who worked with Cunningham as his assistant GM.

George McCaskey

The chairman of the Chicago Bears, who made the team's appeal in person at the league office.

Kevin Warren

The president and CEO of the Chicago Bears, who also participated in the team's appeal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'I think we made a pretty compelling case.'”

— George McCaskey, Chairman, Chicago Bears

What’s next

The Bears will now prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft, in which they own seven selections, including four in the top 90.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the complexities of the NFL's compensatory draft pick system, particularly when it comes to defining the 'primary football executive' role. The Bears felt they were entitled to the picks under the league's diversity-driven policy, but the NFL ultimately ruled against them, denying the team additional draft capital this year.