Falcons interested in Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham

Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham could be headed elsewhere.

The Falcons requested to interview him for their vacant GM job, NFL Network reported on Tuesday morning.

Cunningham’s boss at the Bears could be a key connection. Former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is a prime candidate to return to the team as president of football operations. Ryan is one of Bears GM Ryan Poles’ best friends, dating to their days playing together at Boston College.

Were Cunningham to leave, the Bears would receive a third-round pick in each of the next two drafts as part of the NFL program that rewards teams who lose minority employees to GM or head coaching jobs on other teams.

When Poles was hired four years ago, he brought Cunningham in from the Eagles and created the role of assistant GM.

Cunningham turned down the Cardinals’ GM job three years ago. He interviewed for the Titans job last year and was a finalist for the Jaguars job that opened late in the process.

Cunningham was not part of the Bears’ head coaching search while he interviewed with the Titans, then rejoined it.

“Personally, it was awkward,” he said in April. “First, just grateful for [president] Kevin [Warren] and [chairman] George [McCaskey] and Ryan for their belief in me, for allowing me that time. But also, at the same time, I felt in limbo. I wanted to be a part of this process. It was just a weird time. I wanted to put my best foot forward.

“Unfortunately, it didn't work out in Tennessee. As soon as that was done, got back in, I started watching all of the videos of the coaching interviews. Got back in late with Ben and was able to be a part of that process. Glad we were able to get him on board.”

When the Jaguars job came open, he distanced himself from the Bears’ free-agent meetings. The Jaguars eventually hired James Gladstone on Feb. 21.

“It was back into this weird position again,” Cunningham said. “So, being in and out of those situations, it's tough because you feel a certain way. You devote your time here. You want to help this crew and you also have your own goals and aspirations so you feel a little bit weird. Again, thankful for those opportunities. Grateful for those opportunities.

“When it didn't work out — not gonna lie, it hurt. Not immune to that. But you gotta pick yourself back up off the mat, shake the cob webs off and start swinging again.”