In an intriguing development surrounding the NFL’s Rooney Rule, the Chicago Bears find themselves in a puzzling situation. The rule, designed to reward teams for developing minority executives or coaches, promises a pair of third-round picks when these individuals move on to become General Managers or head coaches elsewhere. However, the Bears are currently not in line to receive these compensatory selections after Ian Cunningham's departure to take on the GM role in Atlanta.
The crux of the issue lies in the NFL's interpretation of the rule. With Matt Ryan serving as Atlanta's president of football operations, the league has determined that the Bears aren't eligible for the picks.
Ryan has acknowledged Cunningham's significant role, noting that he is indeed “driving the ship.” Cunningham himself expressed surprise during a Scouting Combine press conference, stating his belief that the Bears should receive the picks based on his understanding of the rule.
Cunningham remarked, “I haven’t had much time to really dive into the wording of it. It was always my interpretation that if a general manager gets hired, that team would receive two third-round picks.
I’m the General Manager. I was hired.
I would think that they would get two third-round picks. I don’t know the wording of it.
That’s just my perspective. I wouldn’t be sitting here if it weren’t for them giving me that job and helping me grow to get this job right now.”
Adding another layer to the situation, Bears GM Ryan Poles voiced his own confusion. He pointed out the inconsistency, noting that when he was hired by Chicago, the Chiefs received compensatory picks. Poles described the rule as “strange” but maintained it was “very clear” that the Bears should be receiving the picks in Cunningham’s case.
This scenario highlights the complexities and nuances of the Rooney Rule, sparking discussions about its interpretation and implementation. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the league addresses these concerns and whether any adjustments will be made moving forward.