The Bears are seeking two third-round compensatory picks after Cunningham left to become Atlanta Falcons general manager, a move that also involved a president of football operations title for Matt Ryan. League insiders have suggested the new reporting structure could block the Bears’ eligibility, complicating the compensation.
Poles held a careful but firm stance, stating that compensation is not the driver of their actions and that the rules should apply as written. He noted that the Bears have not received any league communication yet and indicated they have been in communication with the league office while awaiting a final determination.
Ian Cunningham, for his part, supported the Bears’ interpretation. He said his understanding was that a general manager hire would yield two third-round picks and reiterated that he is responsible for roster decisions in Atlanta, a detail that could influence the compensatory outcome depending on league interpretation of the rule’s spirit versus its technical structure.
The situation remains unresolved as compensation decisions for 2026 are expected to be finalized soon. Poles and Cunningham both advocate for a straightforward application of the rule, while Chicago continues to press the league for clarity.
Overall, the Bears argue the compensation rule is clear in recognizing the development of minority executives into top personnel roles, while the league’s final stance will determine whether Chicago receives the two third-round picks. The franchise remains engaged with league officials as talks continue.
