After two months, Chicago Bears fans are still fuming at the thought that they could not acquire their compensatory picks from the former assistant general manager Ian Cunningham being hired as the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons.
As part of the Rooney Rule, minority candidates who are promoted to top football decision-making roles will result in the team they left receiving two third-round compensatory picks. The NFL has stated that the Bears don't get those picks for Cunningham because Matt Ryan is considered the top football decision-maker for the Falcons as the President of Football Operations, despite Ryan having publicly stated that Cunningham is making all the football decisions for Atlanta.
ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin was among the media at the NFL owners' meeting, as she shared what Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren and owner George McCaskey said about how they are working through the Cunningham situation.
"Kevin Warren and George McCaskey said the Bears are still appealing the NFL's decision to not give them compensatory picks for Ian Cunningham's departure. They expect an answer soon. McCaskey, Warren and GM Ryan Poles visited with commissioner Roger Goodell in New York City and stated the team's case to receive comp picks based on their belief that Cunningham's departure/hire as GM in Atlanta fulfills Rooney Rule obligations that should net Chicago 2 compensatory third round picks."
Bears working on getting those compensatory picks
The fact that this problem persists is extremely worrisome, as the NFL refuses to do the right thing. Ryan has publicly said he's not making decisions, and the Falcons are Cunningham's "ship to ride."
There is a reason the Rooney Rule is in place: to ensure minority candidates get a fair shot at being hired. As part of the rule, it clearly states that the team the candidate leaves should get picks. It feels pretty clear-cut, so what's the problem?
It has brought the Rooney Rule into question altogether, as even with minority candidates getting interviews, very few are actually getting hired. And even when they do, NFL teams aren't reaping the benefits.
Read more: Bears' latest mock draft does the exact opposite of what Ryan Poles would do
There is going to be a time when this becomes a conversation about potentially getting rid of it or completely overhauling the rule altogether. Bears fans hope Goodell will do the right thing and give the team the picks they deserve.