Bears fans aren't going to like the NFL's decision on 2026 compensatory picks

The NFL had an opportunity to make things right with the Chicago Bears, but it completely fumbled the chance.

The complete list of the NFL's compensatory draft picks was released, and out of the 33 picks, the Bears were given zero, meaning the NFL did not award the Bears their third-round compensatory pick for Ian Cunningham’s promotion from assistant general manager to the Falcons’ GM position.

The reason the Bears won't get their two third-round compensatory picks is that Matt Ryan holds the title of president of football operations in Atlanta, which makes him the Falcons’ primary football decision-maker.

Bears once again get screwed on not getting comp picks

However, Ryan has publicly stated multiple times that Cunningham will be the one in charge of navigating free agency and the NFL Draft. During Cunningham's media availability at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the Falcons’ general manager thought the Bears would receive the compensatory picks because Chicago gave him an assistant general manager job that allowed him to grow and eventually receive a promotion in Atlanta.

The NFL's decision is an alarming one, considering what the Rooney Rule is trying to accomplish – combating the low number of minorities in higher-up positions within NFL organizations.

Given what happened in the Bears’ situation, the rule needs some much-needed alterations. Just because an NFL organization may have a president of football, the person making the actual football decisions should be the “primary decision maker.”

Doesn't that make sense?

And the NFL should take an even deeper dive into the rule itself. Every single year, there are interview requests for minorities for higher-up positions in the NFL, and everyone understands that those candidates are not receiving fair evaluations.

It's more of a check-the-box requirement that NFL teams must do. That's defeating the whole purpose of the rule, which helps nobody in the end.

The Bears should've received compensatory picks, and the NFL missed an opportunity, but the league must look into ways to improve the rule as a whole.