The Chicago Bears are staring down a potential front-office shakeup - and it’s one they’ve seen coming for a while.
Assistant GM Ian Cunningham has been on the radar for general manager roles across the league for the past few years, and after a stellar 2025 season in Chicago, the buzz around him is only getting louder. The Bears went 11-6, locked up the NFC North, and took down the rival Packers in the wild card round - their best season in a decade and a half.
That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen without strong leadership behind the scenes. Cunningham, alongside GM Ryan Poles, has been instrumental in building this roster and reshaping the culture inside Halas Hall.
So it’s no surprise that teams are calling - and right now, the Atlanta Falcons are front and center.
Cunningham has already had a second interview with Atlanta for their vacant GM position. On paper, it looks like a perfect match.
The Falcons just brought in former quarterback Matt Ryan as their new president of football operations, and he happens to be one of Poles’ closest friends in the league. That connection added fuel to the idea that Cunningham could be headed south.
But here’s where it gets tricky.
Because Matt Ryan is officially considered the “primary football executive” in Atlanta, any GM hired under him wouldn’t hold final say over football decisions. That technicality makes the position a lateral move - not a promotion - under the NFL’s rules. And that distinction matters, because it means the Bears wouldn’t receive any compensatory draft picks if Cunningham takes the job.
More than that, it gives Chicago the right to block the move altogether.
But they’re not doing that.
Despite the leverage, the Bears allowed Cunningham to interview with the Falcons this week. That tells us a lot about how Ryan Poles operates.
From the beginning, Poles has made it clear that he won’t stand in the way of his staff advancing their careers. It’s a philosophy rooted in respect and long-term relationships - and it’s one that could cost the Bears a valuable piece of their front office.
Let’s be clear: losing Ian Cunningham would sting. He’s been a key figure in Chicago’s rise, and executives of his caliber don’t grow on trees.
His eye for talent, collaborative approach, and steady presence have helped shape a roster that finally looks ready to compete. And sure, it would be nice if the Bears could walk away with a couple of extra draft picks as a consolation.
But the rules are the rules, and Poles isn’t about to go back on his word just to game the system.
That said, nothing’s finalized yet. Cunningham may not be the Falcons’ top choice - at least not as of now.
The search in Atlanta is ongoing, and other candidates remain in the mix. But the fact that he’s still in the running, and that the Bears are letting the process play out without interference, speaks volumes.
It’s a tough spot for Chicago. On one hand, they risk losing a top executive for no return. On the other, they’re reinforcing a culture of trust and professional growth - something that could pay dividends down the road when it comes to retaining and attracting top talent.
For now, all eyes are on Atlanta. If they do offer the job to Cunningham, the ball will be in his court. And if he takes it, the Bears will have some big shoes to fill - again.