Chicago Bears Get Screwed by the NFL | Why This Is a Massive Problem
The Chicago Bears were expected to receive two third-round compensatory draft picks after Ian Cunningham was hired away — but the NFL’s ruling changed everything.
In this episode of The Windy City Breeze, we break down how the Bears lost out on valuable draft capital because the Atlanta Falcons named Matt Ryan as their primary football executive, effectively blocking the Rooney Rule compensation that should have applied to Chicago. The result? The Bears get nothing — and it exposes a major flaw in how the NFL structures executive power and incentive rules.
We dive into:
Why the Bears didn’t receive draft picks for Ian Cunningham
How the NFL’s wording created a loophole teams can exploit
Why this sets a dangerous precedent for minority executive development
How this decision impacts the Bears’ long-term roster building
Why this could become a league-wide issue, not just a Chicago problem
This isn’t just Bears news — it’s an NFL problem that raises serious questions about fairness, accountability, and whether teams are being encouraged or punished for developing top executive talent.
🐻⬇️ Join the conversation:
Did the NFL screw over the Chicago Bears — or is this the league protecting itself from setting a precedent? Drop your thoughts below.
#ChicagoBears #Bears #NFL
38 comments
This is some BS. NFL does not believe in the Rooney rule.
They’re Racist
The NFL DOESNT LIKE THE BEARS 🐻
The Bears developed Ian Cunningham… and got ZERO draft picks in return because of an NFL loophole.
Is this the NFL failing the Rooney Rule, or did the Bears get flat-out screwed by technical wording?
The NFL doesn't care about the Bears. The refs notoriously flag the Bears during games that they NEVER flag the opponent.
This is nothing new when it comes to the NFL screwing the Bears over. It's a never ending situation. They have been doing this since 86. It's like they don't want another 85 Bears team.
The NFL is full of 💩!! I say Sue them.
Here we go with this nonsense.
They are scared of us taking over the nfl
Packers would've had those picks in hand already. NFL is biased.
its bullshit, but if black coaches were so good, how come we need a rule to get them hired?
The picks don't even come from the Falcons . No minority (Black) got a HC Job and now a loophole? What a rule .
Falcons dont even give up the picks, it literally has NOTHING to do with them… 😂
Yeah they played us mfs
The Bears should sue the NFL.
Appellate!!! Stop the hire until this get resolved this is a bigger problem then what people think it is.
Take it to a court of appeals make it a case and the NFL will cave
Matt Ryan said he would be assisting Ian and keeping things like logistics and such off Ian’s plate so he can focus on the off season. This is some bullllllllshiet
This issue is as American as Apple Pie…. There's always a reason to shortchange folks around topics that involve racial disparities… It's spiteful…
FRG
Well Ian should come back if we. Can’t get nothing for him
Then George needs to move forward with Legal Action nothing else to discuss
🐻⬇️ should the owner sell the team?
I honestly believe he got hired as a favor bro
CRAZY… out of nine or ten hires… he was the only minority hired … the Bears are the good guys… they could have blocked the hire
The NFL might as well get rid of the rule at this point since they clearly don't really care about incentivising teams to hire minority candidates.
No matter when we win they will have nothing to say just like this year.
FRG FRG FRG FRG FRG FRG
No lies detected. Any chance that Matt Ryan might be doing his buddy Poles a solid by constantly saying “Ian is doing all the GM work” to give the Bears something to work with to pressure the league for the picks?
NFL made an assumption about Matt Ryan and his involvement in the day to day and overall GM duties
Now they don't want to walk it back due to the letter of the rule and not its spirit
If Ian was hired before Matt it would’ve been granted in my opinion
This is something, from a legal perspective, which seems potentially actionable.
If Atlanta purposely altered the job description in such a way as to intentionally thwart our picks, then essentially they entered into the interview arrangement with the Bears in bad faith.
In this case specifically, it's particularly unfair because the Bears acted in good faith and Atlanta acted in bad faith after it was too late for the Bears to demand clarity. If Atlanta had entered into negotiations disclosing their intention to thwart the Rooney rule, at least then the Bears could have demanded negotiations with regard to the job description. But Atlanta's deception caused the Bears to proceed to their material detriment.
This ain't right…
The nfl don't believe the falcon that's why bro
Roger Goodell needs to be fired.
Comp picks are awarded early March, last year the picks were awarded on the 11th of March. The league is gonna slide the picks under the table and keep it moving 🤔.
This is the NFL screwing the Bears over. They don't wanna see the Bears be great again.
This is complete bias. It makes me want to switch focus to Hockey and Basketball.
Same league that doesnt have Bill as a 1st ballot HOF so im not that suprised
I think the problem is Ian interviewed for that president job and Matt Ryan was hired for that job, thus making it appear the GM job was a step below. Probably should not have interviewed for the top spot 🤷🏽♂️