Bears Seek Draft Pick Compensation
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles revealed they're negotiating with the NFL to receive two forfeited third-round draft picks after Ian Cunningham left for Atlanta's GM role. The move could potentially change the league's stance on compensation for front office departures, as teams typically don't receive draft pick compensation for executive moves.
- The policy the Bears are citing is officially titled 2020 Resolution JC-2A, which grants two third-round compensatory draft picks to teams who have a minority employee hired away as a head coach or "Primary Football Executive." This rule was put in place to reward teams for developing minority talent that ascends to top leadership roles. - The first team to receive picks under this resolution was the Los Angeles Rams after the Detroit Lions hired their director of college scouting, Brad Holmes, as general manager in 2021. - The NFL's current stance is that the Bears will not receive the picks because the Falcons have former quarterback Matt Ryan in the role of "President of Football," who the league considers the "primary football executive" above Cunningham. - The Bears' argument is that Cunningham holds the traditional responsibilities of a general manager, with Ryan himself stating that Cunningham will control the draft and free agency. - Ian Cunningham himself has stated he believes the Bears should be awarded the compensatory picks for his hiring as the Falcons' General Manager. - If the Bears are successful in their appeal, they would receive an additional third-round pick in both the 2026 and 2027 NFL drafts. - The compensatory picks awarded for minority hires are separate from and in addition to the regular compensatory picks teams receive for losing free agents, with a maximum of 32 of the latter being awarded each year.
