{"id":774438,"date":"2026-02-25T02:19:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T02:19:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/774438\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T02:19:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T02:19:56","slug":"ryan-poles-calls-out-nfl-amid-bears-compensatory-pick-dispute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/774438\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryan Poles Calls Out NFL Amid Bears\u2019 Compensatory Pick Dispute"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Bears\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Bears GM Ryan Poles<\/p>\n

At the NFL<\/a> Scouting Combine, GM Ryan Poles made one thing clear\u2026 The NFL hasn\u2019t given the Chicago Bears<\/a> a final answer, and he believes the rules support Chicago\u2019s case.<\/p>\n

The Bears are seeking two third-round compensatory picks following the departure of assistant general manager Ian Cunningham, who was hired as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Under the Rooney Rule\u2019s compensatory draft incentive structure, teams are awarded two third-round picks when a minority executive is hired away to become a club\u2019s top personnel decision maker.<\/p>\n

But Atlanta complicated matters by creating a president of football operations role for Matt Ryan before officially hiring Cunningham. League insiders have suggested that technical reporting structure could prevent Chicago from receiving those picks\u2026<\/p>\n

Poles isn\u2019t buying that interpretation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very clear\u201d
\n\"Bears<\/p>\n

GettyBears GM Ryan Poles<\/p>\n

Speaking Tuesday morning at the Combine, Poles struck a careful but pointed tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow we do that and why we do that has nothing to do with compensation whatsoever,\u201d Poles said.<\/a> \u201cI want to make that very clear.\u201d<\/p>\n

He emphasized that developing staff (including helping Cunningham reach a GM seat) was always the priority. The draft picks, he said, are secondary. But that doesn\u2019t mean the Bears are backing down.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the other side, there\u2019s a set of rules that were put in place that I think can be applied to this situation,\u201d Poles said. \u201cWe\u2019ve communicated through the right channels. So we\u2019ll see what happens as we move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Chicago Bears, according to Poles, have not received a response from the league: \u201cNo one personally called me from the league,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

For a franchise that believes the rule is straightforward, the silence has only amplified the tension.<\/p>\n

Ian Cunningham backs the Bears
\n\"Bears<\/p>\n

GettyBears GM Ryan Poles<\/p>\n

Interestingly enough, even Ian Cunningham himself echoed that stance at the Combine.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was always my interpretation that if a general manager gets hired, a team would receive two third-round picks,\u201d Cunningham said. \u201cI\u2019m the general manager and I was hired. I would think that they would get two third-round picks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cunningham also reinforced that he is the one making roster decisions in Atlanta<\/a>. By multiple accounts (including public comments from Ryan) Cunningham is running draft and free agency operations. That detail could prove pivotal.<\/p>\n

If the spirit of the rule is to reward teams for developing minority executives into top personnel roles, the Bears\u2019 case appears strong. If the league leans strictly on technical hierarchy, Chicago may be left empty handed.<\/p>\n

For now though, the Chicago Bears are in limbo. Poles said clarity could come in the coming weeks, as compensatory selections for 2026 are expected to be finalized soon. Until then, Chicago remains in contact with the league office.<\/p>\n

The tone from Poles wasn\u2019t loud, but it was unmistakably firm. He praised Cunningham. He acknowledged the rule\u2019s complexity. And he made it clear the Bears believe the outcome should be obvious.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s the rule they have in place,\u201d Poles said, \u201cit\u2019s very clear what should happen.\u201d Now, the league has to decide whether it agrees.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tGarrett Klaus<\/a> Garrett Klaus is a NFL contributor at Heavy.com, where he covers the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Carolina Panthers. More about Garrett Klaus<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Bears\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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