Ian Cunningham leaves Chicago after four seasons to take his first general manager role in Atlanta, with questions still remaining about the broader impact of the move for the Bears.
Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham is leaving the organization after being hired by the Atlanta Falcons as their general manager.
Cunningham spent the past four seasons helping shape the Bears’ roster alongside general manager Ryan Poles, playing a key role in the team’s turnaround that culminated in an NFC North title and an 11–6 record during the 2025 regular season. His influence inside Halas Hall and reputation across the league made him a frequent interview candidate for general manager openings in recent hiring cycles.
Now, he has finally landed a GM opportunity — though the situation in Atlanta is a unique one.
The Falcons recently hired former quarterback Matt Ryan as president of football operations, a role expected to serve as the organization’s primary football decision-maker. That structure makes Cunningham’s move technically a promotion in title, but potentially closer to a lateral move in terms of overall authority within the organization.
The move is a no-brainer from a relationship standpoint. Ryan Poles and Matt Ryan were teammates at Boston College and have maintained a strong professional relationship over the years. That connection, combined with Cunningham’s league-wide reputation as a rising executive, likely helped make him a natural fit in Atlanta’s front office structure.
The biggest remaining question for Chicago is whether the Bears will receive compensatory draft picks for losing Cunningham.
Under NFL diversity hiring initiatives, teams can receive third-round compensatory picks if a minority executive is hired by another team as a head coach or primary football executive, which is typically the general manager role.
However, Atlanta’s structure complicates that scenario. If Matt Ryan is officially designated as the Falcons’ primary football executive, Cunningham’s GM title alone may not qualify Chicago for compensation. Reports have suggested the Bears may not receive the expected two third-round picks (one in the 2026 and 2027 drafts) if Cunningham is not considered the top decision-maker in Atlanta.
Regardless of draft compensation, Cunningham’s departure is another sign that the Bears’ front office is highly respected across the league. Executives tied to successful roster construction and organizational culture inevitably become candidates for top jobs elsewhere, and Cunningham has been viewed as a future general manager for several years.
For Chicago, the timing is manageable. Head coach Ben Johnson is expected to retain most of his coaching staff entering the 2026 season, and the organization has not yet experienced the type of widespread staff departures that often follow major success.
Still, Cunningham’s exit felt inevitable. After years of interviews and near-misses, this represents a well-earned opportunity for him to step out from Poles’ shadow and take the next step in his career — even if the exact scope of his power in Atlanta remains to be seen.