Changes are coming to Halas Hall, one way or another. That much is obvious after this season. You can’t start 4-2 and then lose every remaining game and expect things to stay the same. The only uncertainty right now for the Chicago Bears is how deep the changes go. The coaching staff will be overhauled. Every sign indicates as much. What isn’t known is whether the front office will see a similar outcome. GM Ryan Poles is on the hot seat, at least in the eyes of fans and media. However, that may not be the departure many expect.
It appears another key executive office member could be on his way out. According to Albert Breer, there is a chance assistant GM Ian Cunningham may finally depart for his own GM position this offseason. The team to watch is the Indianapolis Colts, who seem ready to move on from Chris Ballard. Head coach Shane Steichen worked together with Cunningham in Philadelphia during the 2021 season. A reunion in Indianapolis sounds like a possibility.
The Chicago Bears would benefit from this outcome.
Any time a minority executive gets hired as GM of another organization, his original team receives draft compensation. In this case, it would be two 3rd round picks, one in 2025 and another in 2026. Such an outcome would give the Chicago Bears nine picks in the upcoming draft, including five in the first three rounds. That would present a great opportunity to infuse the roster with more talent. Cunningham has been in demand over the past couple of cycles. He reportedly had a clear shot at the Arizona Cardinals job last year but chose to pass on it. Indianapolis is a much more stable organization. Pairing with a coach he’s familiar with is certainly a bonus. The question is how much leash Cunningham would have regarding the coaching staff and organizational structure. If he likes what he hears, things could come together.
