GM Ryan Poles has been busy for the better part of two months now. Most of his time is spent working the free agent market as the offseason officially opens. The rest is focused on preparing for the upcoming NFL draft. However, there is an important side project the Chicago Bears leading man knows he must finish. That is the restructuring of the front office, something that started with the arrival of new assistant GM Ian Cunningham in January.
The general reaction from people around the league was a nod of approval. Cunningham is highly thought of around the NFL. Somebody who is considered a rising star in the business and will likely be a GM himself in the not-too-distant future. One thing that tends to hint the Bears got it right is the team’s reaction he left behind. Not long after his departure, the Philadelphia Eagles put forth a rule change idea to league owners. One that would allow teams the authority to retain secondary football executives until after the draft.
Translation? They’re really upset at losing Cunningham.
Am amendment for "secondary football executive positions" to allow the employer club the choice to retain the executive through the draft. Then from the draft through 6/30, that executive can interview and be hired elsewhere.
Eagles are joined by BAL, BUF, TB on this one.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 16, 2022
One can understand. The timing of this is particularly brutal this year. Philadelphia enters what might be its most pivotal draft in years. They have not one, not two, but three picks in the 1st round. It is a glorious opportunity to infuse their roster with blue-chip talent and perhaps set themselves up for championship contention. So for GM Howie Roseman to lose one of his most trusted lieutenants at the 11th hour is a blow.
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Their loss could end up being the Bears’ gain. Cunningham is said to be an excellent communicator. Somebody with a silver tongue when conversing with free agents his team may want to sign. He seems off to a good start with three new additions already.
Ian Cunningham has a huge opportunity in front of him
The Bears have been stuck in perpetual mediocrity for a decade now. Just two playoff appearances since 2011. Both of them were one-and-done. Meanwhile, the new assistant GM won championships with the Baltimore Ravens and Eagles. He has learned from some of the best executives in the business. The legendary Ozzie Newsome is his mentor. If he can help Poles turn Chicago into a consistent winner, a line of teams will be waiting to make him their GM.
Ian Cunningham isn’t the only new addition. Trey Roziol arrived from Kansas City as the Bears’ new Co-Director of Player Personnel. He and Poles have worked together going back to their playing days at Boston College. His job title also suggests that another new face could be arriving in short order. This might be the largest front office the team has ever employed when the dust settles.
A significant departure from past regimes.
It is another reminder that Poles will do things his way, incorporating approaches from other organizations he feels have success. Creating the first-ever assistant GM in Cunningham was the first real proof. It will be exciting to see how their first offseason unfolds.
