The Chicago Bears are facing a pivotal moment in their front office rebuild. With Ian Cunningham officially stepping into the general manager role for the Atlanta Falcons-a homecoming of sorts for him, given his childhood ties to the team-Chicago is now tasked with filling a significant leadership void.
Cunningham wasn’t just a titleholder in the Bears’ front office; he was a trusted voice in the war room and a steadying presence during the high-stakes chaos of free agency and the NFL Draft. His departure leaves more than just an empty chair-it leaves a gap in the Bears’ talent evaluation engine.
Let’s be clear: while GM Ryan Poles is the architect of this Bears roster, Cunningham was a key collaborator. From 2022 through 2025, he served as assistant GM, helping shape the team’s identity and contributing to some of the most impactful personnel decisions in recent memory. Whether it was draft-day maneuvering or navigating the complexities of roster construction, Cunningham’s influence was felt.
Now, the question is: who steps up?
Internally, all eyes are on Jeff King. The senior co-director of player personnel has long been viewed as a rising figure within the organization.
He’s respected, experienced, and-most importantly-trusted by Poles. On paper, he seems like the logical successor.
But according to sources familiar with the situation, that promotion is far from a done deal.
The reason? Head coach Ben Johnson.
Johnson, newly installed and already making his presence felt, is reportedly the one pressing pause on the process. He’s not necessarily against King stepping in, but he’s also not ready to rubber-stamp the move.
Johnson has made it known that he values fresh perspectives-voices from outside the building that challenge the status quo and keep the internal process sharp. That philosophy could extend to the front office, where a new face might bring a different angle to player evaluations and roster strategy.
It’s a delicate balance. Stick with continuity and promote King, or bring in an outsider who could offer new insights but also disrupt the current dynamic? That’s the decision looming over Halas Hall.
What’s not in question is the importance of the role. Replacing Ian Cunningham isn’t just about filling a title-it’s about finding someone who can match his eye for talent and his steady hand under pressure. The Bears have made significant strides in recent years, but this next hire will shape how the team approaches scouting, free agency, and the draft moving forward.
There are other candidates in the mix-lesser-known names who’ve quietly built strong reputations around the league-but the Bears are keeping things close to the vest. This is a franchise that knows how crucial this decision is. They’re not just hiring a new assistant GM-they’re choosing a new voice in the room, one who will help define the next phase of this team’s evolution.
Cunningham’s departure is a loss, no doubt. But it’s also an opportunity. The Bears have a chance to reinforce their front office with someone who can complement Poles and Johnson, push the team’s evaluation process forward, and help navigate what’s shaping up to be one of the most important offseasons in recent memory.
The clock is ticking in Chicago. The next move will tell us a lot about how this new Bears regime plans to build-not just a roster, but a contender.