Under the NFL’s Equal Employment and Workplace Diversity policy, a minority hire by another team as head coach or GM generally yields a third-round compensatory selection for the original team in the next two drafts. Chicago would have needed Cunningham to have final say on all football matters for those picks to land; the dynamic in Atlanta changes that calculus.
The rule’s practical first test came with the Detroit Lions’ hiring of Brad Holmes as GM in 2021, which helped the Rams receive third-round picks in 2021 and 2022. But Holmes had final say within Detroit, whereas Cunningham’s authority in Atlanta will be more collaborative under Ryan’s leadership.
In Atlanta, Cunningham will contribute significantly to roster-building, but he will report to Ryan before making final, autonomous calls. That reporting structure is the key reason Chicago is not receiving the compensatory selections they had anticipated.
Cunningham made tangible contributions during his Bears tenure, but his departure now shifts leverage to Atlanta and leaves Chicago without the expected draft compensation. The situation reflects how ownership of ultimate decision-making authority, not just departmental involvement, influences compensatory pick outcomes.
This summary reflects reporting from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, and is based on the league rules governing minority hires and the evolving leadership structure within the Falcons’ front office.
