The Chicago Bears will not receive compensatory third-round draft picks after Ian Cunningham left to become the Atlanta Falcons’ general manager, a hire the Falcons officially announced on Thursday, January 29.
The move ends a weekslong Falcons search led by newly hired president of football Matt Ryan, with Cunningham reportedly interviewed at least three times during the process.
Under Rooney Rule guidelines, Cunningham’s departure would normally trigger two third-round compensatory picks in each of the next two NFL drafts for Chicago.
However, ESPN’s Courtney Cronin and several insiders indicate the Bears won’t receive those picks because Cunningham is not being hired by Atlanta as the primary football executive; that role was filled by Matt Ryan.
Cronin also noted that compensatory-pick eligibility isn’t subject to appeal, meaning Chicago has no recourse to challenge the Falcons’ interpretation of the rule.
