NEWSLETTER
Chicago Bears Assistant General Manager Ian Cunningham reportedly earned an extension from the team in late April.
It appears to already be paying dividends.
In discussing what was going through his mind ahead of making the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Bears General Manager Ryan Poles paints a picture of draft day angst that almost got the best of him. Perhaps it would have had it not been for his trusty sidekick:
“I was getting antsy and was really hoping Rome was going to be there. Made a few calls up just to see if I moved a couple of spots up just to take the risk out of it if we could get him a little bit early. Luckily, I have a good assistant GM who pulled me back and told me to be patient. And things fell the way that they were supposed to.”
Ryan Poles has told this story before. But that won’t stop me from re-sharing it again, especially since the Bears GM adds anecdotes about calling to move up a couple of spots and fending off trade-down offers from teams drafting behind him.
Ian Cunningham deserves a pat on the back for a job well done on Night 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft
Assistant GM Ian Cunningham restraining his boss from executing a trade-up (one that, as it turns out, would’ve been unnecessary because of how the draft dominoes fell) makes him a true draft weekend MVP. With history as our guide, I feel as if a third-round pick to move up a few slots would’ve been the cost of doing business with a team to ensure the selection of Rome Odunze would take place. The juice probably would’ve been worth the squeeze, but aren’t you glad the Bears didn’t have to take that risk? They have Cunningham to thank for saving them a draft pick. And if anyone knows the value of that extra pick, it is this front office.
In 2023, we saw the team add a 2024 fourth-round pick to trade down one spot with the Philadelphia Eagles. Naturally, we remember how the Bears used that pick on right tackle Darnell Wright. But that fourth-rounder from Philly ultimately turned into punter Tory Taylor. Remember, Chicago sent its own fourth-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers to complete the Keenan Allen trade. So that extra fourth came in handy on NFL Draft weekend. I’m sure the folks at Halas Hall are happy that they still have worthwhile draft capital worth using next year. Just as I’m sure they are pleased that Ian Cunningham didn’t leave for another job this past offseason.
In a roundabout way, Ian Cunningham could be worth three draft picks — the pick he saved Poles from sending away in a potential trade-up for Rome Odunze and two third-round picks that could come the Bears’ way if he leaves for a GM job elsewhere. My mind is blown after typing out that sentence and framing it in a different way.
When all the GM chairs were filled this offseason, Ian Cunningham was left on the outside looking in. But maybe that will turn into a blessing in disguise. Selfishly, there was a part of me that wanted Cunningham to hang around for another year and keep putting his fingerprints on the Bears’ rebuild. Who knew he’d have to hold Ryan Poles back (literally? figuratively? I need to know!) from making a trade? And who knew it would save them a draft pick? There is some real butterfly effect stuff happening here with the Bears. But I’m glad it seems to be working out in their favor.
Don’t get me wrong. I want to see Ian Cunningham spread his wings and get a general manager job of his own. The interest that he has generated on the interview circuit over the last two offseasons is real. And it hints that Poles’ right-hand man is highly respected in football circles. And, in turn, so is Chicago’s front office. But Cunningham calling the shots elsewhere is the kind of thing that would hurt because no one wants to see good employees leave. However, another offseason of teams showing interest (and ultimately hiring Ian Cunningham) would be a sign that the front office at Halas Hall is healthy.
It is a gift and a curse, so we might as well enjoy the gift portion while Ian Cunningham is still here.
