Monday, January 27, 2025

Ian Cunningham Update Signals Bears Are Nearing A Shakeup

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Ryan Poles kept Ian Cunningham away from the head coach interview process because he wanted to give his right-hand man a chance to focus on upcoming GM interviews. It looked like the Chicago Bears assistant GM was on the cusp of landing the Tennessee Titans job before it went to Mike Borgonzi from Kansas City. With no sense that the Jets job was in play, it looked like Cunningham would be returning for another. Then everything changed after the Jacksonville Jaguars fired Trent Baalke. Suddenly buzz began to pick up that there was mutual interest between Cunningham and the organization, who’d just hired head coach Liam Coen.

None of it had come from more official sources, though. Not until now. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports spoke before the Kansas City Chiefs-Buffalo Bills AFC championship game. He confirmed that Cunningham to Jacksonville indeed has serious legs. Nothing is official yet, but it sure sounds like the Bears executive is the leader in the clubhouse for that job.

An Ian Cunningham exit will lead to some interesting consequences.

First and foremost, his leaving for Jacksonville would secure them two compensatory 3rd round picks—one in 2025 and the other in 2026. That would push Chicago’s inventory for this upcoming draft to nine picks, including five in the first three rounds. No doubt Poles could infuse his roster with another surge of young talent. The other piece of business would be finding Cunningham’s replacement as assistant GM. The smart money will be on co-director of player personnel Jeff King getting promoted. He’s been rising in the front office since Poles’ arrival and clearly has the trust of the Bears GM.

Could the Bears bring in an outside face who may have connections to new head coach Ben Johnson? Perhaps, but it feels like this would be an internal promotion. Poles came from an organization that liked to develop its scouting department internally. He’s no doubt hoping to do the same in Chicago. It would be unfortunate to lose Ian Cunningham. He’s been a great sounding board and calming presence for Poles. Still, this is an opportunity he has awaited for years. It feels like his time.

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7 COMMENTS

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citizen34
citizen34
Jan 27, 2025 8:55 am

Is it me or does fake-doctor Sally just keep posting things all day. Don’t you have some people to help with whatever you do?? The most important hire now for the Bears is getting an excellent O-line coach. All 4 teams this weekend had good to excellent O-lines and we all know how bad our line was this year with A-gap pressure and our RB getting hit 2 yards behind the Line of scrimmage all game.

Byron
Byron
Jan 27, 2025 8:07 am

It’s a good thing Poles has two hips; Ian’s on one and I guess Bens on the other. Ian did keep Poles in check during the draft. Hopefully Poles has matured enough to have more patience. I hope next year that the most exciting part of the season isn’t coaches the draft or who are the free agents. But one thing the Bears got a jump on the other teams and if Johnson works out the Bears will be set for years to come.

Tred
Jan 27, 2025 6:02 am

Maybe Cunningham moving on will be a net positive. We need different eyes on a lot of positions, especially OL. Maybe a fresh voice and perspective helps there. Who can say?

Dr. Steven Sallie
Dr. Steven Sallie
Jan 26, 2025 9:25 pm

If my man BEN does not do it with Caleb, then you can forget the rest of this decade. I hope he helps the other QBs too.

Dr. Steven Sallie
Dr. Steven Sallie
Jan 26, 2025 8:30 pm

My man Ben just needs a third hand or apprentice to carry out his will, not a full-grown independent authoritative voice with experience and differences of opinion.

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