Report: Chicago Bears Hiring Ian Cunningham into Front Office

[dentfan]

Ryan Poles was hired by the Chicago Bears as their 7th General Manager in franchise history on Monday, Jan 24th. As the top football exec in the building, he’s been given the power to reshape the organization as he deems fit. It’s only fitting more history was made less than a week later.

Jon Greenberg is reporting that, after days of heavy speculation, the Bears are hiring Ian Cunningham into their front office.

Bears Hired Ian Cunningham as Assistant General Manager

It’s widely believed he will become the team’s first Assistant GM in franchise history.

www.windycitygridiron.com

 

[WestCoastBearsFan]

Good move. Give me a piece of the Ravens and Eagles FO.

 

[TezMaKai]

Very solid move. Bears FO is starting to look impressive.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

A key part of this hire is the idea he will become the team’s first ever Assistant GM. In the history of the franchise, there has never been any person that held such a title. Where it’s still unofficial as to what exactly his title will become, it only makes sense as being the Asst. GM would allow for the Bears to hire Ian Cunningham as a true promotion. It’s a way to collect more brilliant football minds into a franchise that’s starved for such figures.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

1st step to drafting better. Love this hire.

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

2 former Offensive Linemen who both have a history of scouting impressive offensive linemen are now our GM and Asst GM.

I'm THRILLED.

Fields is finally going to get protection from his line ...

 

[zabavka]

I like more football guys involved, welcome our new Assistant GM

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

Looks like the moves been made official

 

[legendxofxlink]

Big Pole Poles does it again.

 

[Escobar's Army]

2 former Offensive Linemen who both have a history of scouting impressive offensive linemen are now our GM and Asst GM.

I'm THRILLED.

Fields is finally going to get protection from his line ...

This can not be emphasized enough. We have several solid building block but look for our O-line to be much better right away.

 

[playthrough2001]

I wonder how he felt on the Reagor v Jefferson debate? That’s the first question I would have asked him.

 

[Bearly]

Nice addendum to the culture change thread. Love this. I didn't expect it before the GM hire and why I thought Pace moving up would be better than not but this puts that to rest. Best possible scenario for the Bear.

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

This can not be emphasized enough. We have several solid building block but look for our O-line to be much better right away.

Kansas city's offensive line was a hot mess when they lost the Super bowl last year.

Our general manager is who the Kansas City GM credited with being able to turn around the offensive line in ONE OFFSEASON.

And the assistant GM we just hired likewise has a track record of being able to find offensive line talent.

I am extremely excited.

 

[Milky]

Nice addendum to the culture change thread. Love this. I didn't expect it before the GM hire and why I thought Pace moving up would be better than not but this puts that to rest. Best possible scenario for the Bear.

Agree on the structure. Whether or not they got the hires right is another question but first thing first and I believe they at least got this right.

Although I’m not sold, I like that both Poles and Cunningham are former offensive lineman who have both scouted for teams that almost always have good to great OL’s. Makes me wonder if the vision is to build a team that plays smash mouth football on offense and plays good defense ala Tennessee.

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

Agree on the structure. Whether or not they got the hires right is another question but first thing first and I believe they at least got this right.

Although I’m not sold, I like that both Poles and Cunningham are former offensive lineman who have both scouted for teams that almost always have good to great OL’s. Makes me wonder if the vision is to build a team that plays smash mouth football on offense and plays good defense ala Tennessee.

Tennessee was my first thought but some out there are saying they are looking for someone to run a flavor of shanahan style offense, which would mean creative runs.

David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert in a shanahan style offense with Justin's accuracy off of play action?

 

[Anytime23]

The Bears are a couple seasons of growth away from flipping this guy into a couple third round picks. Keep hiring quality black executives,

 

[iueyedoc]

The Bears are a couple seasons of growth away from flipping this guy into a couple third round picks. Keep hiring quality black executives,

As a Bears GM, you are hiring a new HC, you like the black coordinator from GB and slightly less but not by much, a nonspecific race coordinator from the Ravens, does the draft pick compensation factor in your choice, and if so, how much?

 

[Anytime23]

@iueyedoc is that you agreeing with me or am i not seeing something?

 

[iueyedoc]

@iueyedoc is that you agreeing with me or am i not seeing something?

Fixed, I had no idea what race Cunningham was, but it doesn't hurt that he could garner a few picks quality in a few years. It kind makes me feel dirty talking about a person being worth picks.

I should have looked for trot and squats opinion of him to determine his race.

 

[DaaBears]

Kansas city's offensive line was a hot mess when they lost the Super bowl last year.

Our general manager is who the Kansas City GM credited with being able to turn around the offensive line in ONE OFFSEASON.

And the assistant GM we just hired likewise has a track record of being able to find offensive line talent.

I am extremely excited.

The Chiefs offensive line was fine all year and including the AFC championship. They were a hot mess in the Super Bowl because both tackles were out injured and TB had the best defensive line in football.

Perhaps Poles did do a good job making changes, but let's not use that Super Bowl as a measure of the Chiefs offensive line in the 2020 season.