NFL rejects Bears' appeal to receive compensatory draft picks for Falcons hiring Ian Cunningham

The NFL officially rejected the Bears’ appeal to receive compensatory draft picks related to the Falcons hiring former executive Ian Cunningham as their general manager, saying Friday it informed the organization the matter is closed.

The Bears believed they were entitled to a third-round pick this year and next as part of a rule that rewards teams for developing minority coaches and executives that land jobs as head coaches or general managers. Cunningham, who is Black, was their assistant general manager for four years under Ryan Poles.

The Falcons, however, hired former quarterback Matt Ryan as their President of Football, choosing him over Cunningham for that position, and the NFL ruled that Ryan is the “Primary Football Executive,” for which the policy was designed.

“The league determined Mr. Cunningham did not fill that role with the Falcons as it is defined in league rules,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Speaking on behalf of the Falcons in February, Cunningham said he believed the Bears should receive the draft picks. Ryan, who has zero personnel experience, said in an interview with CBS after hiring Cunningham as general manager, “I’ve got a lot to learn... Ian is in charge and he is driving this boat.”

Bears owner George McCaskey, president Kevin Warren and Poles flew to New York recently to make their case to commissioner Roger Goodell. That included presenting Ryan’s comments and other evidence.

"We did what the league wants every member club to do,” McCaskey said Wednesday. “We identified diverse talent, we recruited him, we created a position for him... We allowed him to make mistakes and to learn from those mistakes. We gave him supervisory duties. We gave him training.

“We made him ready to be a general manager in the NFL, and he's getting his opportunity and we're thrilled for him."

Here is the full statement from the NFL:

"The matter is now closed following the club’s appeal. The NFL informed the Bears today they will not receive compensatory picks. The policy is designed to provide picks for the Primary Football Executive position. The League determined Mr. Cunningham did not fill that role with the Falcons as it is defined in League rules."