Many Chicago Bears fans were excited to see assistant general manager Ian Cunningham hired as the Atlanta Falcons general manager, until they learned the team from the Windy City won't be getting any picks in return.
As part of the Rooney Rule, when a minority front office member gets a new job and is promoted into the top position for making football decisions for his new team, the team that member left would get two third-round compensatory picks. In the Falcons' case, since the president of football, Matt Ryan, is the top decision-maker, the Bears will not be getting any picks in the process.
Well, Ryan publicly admitted that's not going to be the case. During an interview, when asked who is making the football decisions, Ryan made it clear that Cunningham is.
"Ian is in charge. Ian is in charge of that space. I'm looking forward to learning about this. I said it the other day in Ian's presser. I've never sat in a draft room and so Monday is going to be the first time I'm sitting in a draft meeting and I've got a lot to learn. Sitting, observing, being a fly on the wall. If there is something that Ian has a question about or something I can help with, I'm all ears and I'm happy to share my opinion, but Ian is driving this boat and he is the one leading us moving forward."
Bears fans would like their picks after Matt Ryan's comments
It's very clear now that Ryan isn't making all the decisions, as he just said himself. That is leaving many Bears fans wondering whether the NFL will investigate it and award the Bears the two draft picks they seem to deserve.
Many people have opinions about the Rooney Rule, but it is in place to ensure everyone has an equal chance of being hired without bias. Cunningham worked hard to get to the point of being promoted, and the Bears were a big reason why.
By rule, since Cunningham is what Ryan said himself, "driving the boat," it only seems fair to give the Bears their picks. This kind of loophole the Falcons found is something other NFL teams could use moving forward to ensure the competition doesn't gain any advantage in the draft.
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The NFL should be looking into it, but who knows if that will ever happen. Chicago fans have every right to not be thrilled about this.