Cunningham had been with the Bears since 2022, joining alongside Ryan Poles, and he became the second Black general manager in Falcons history after Terry Fontenot. He previously served as assistant general manager in Chicago and is now moving to Atlanta to assume the GM role.
Under NFL rules, compensatory picks are awarded when a minority staffer is hired away as a head coach or top executive. The 2020 CBA amendment formalized that policy as part of promoting equal opportunity. However, in Atlanta’s current structure, Cunningham’s promotion to GM does not trigger those compensatory picks.
The Falcons’ executive reorganization followed the end-of-season firings of Raheem Morris and Fontenot. Owner Arthur Blank created a new position, president of football, and Matt Ryan was hired as president of football. In this setup, the head coach and GM report to Ryan, effectively making him the lead football executive.
Meanwhile, the Bears enjoyed a successful 2025 season with a playoff win—their first in 15 years—and Ben Johnson’s debut as Chicago’s coordinator in a pivotal role, with Caleb Williams emerging as one of the league’s top-passers. The team’s momentum underscores a continued push to build around Williams and Johnson.
Looking ahead to the 2026 NFL draft, Chicago currently holds seven picks: its original selections in rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7, plus a fourth-round pick acquired from the Los Angeles Rams and a seventh-rounder from the Cleveland Browns. The Bears’ draft position will be shaped in part by this year’s free-agent moves and internal development, rather than compensatory picks stemming from Cunningham’s departure.
