The Chicago Bears appear to be inching closer to receiving two third-round picks from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While most teams have moved past the phase of hiring new head coaches and general managers, the unorthodox way in which the Jaguars handled their head coach search has left the team still in search of a general manager.
At one point during the Jaguars' search for a general manager to pair with first-year head coach Liam Coen, it seemed that Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham was a favorite for the opening. However, Cunningham's candidacy took a momentary backseat due to a reported conflict over who would have the final say over personnel.
The conflict seemingly has been resolved as after a virtual interview with the Jaguars earlier this week, Cunningham will have an in-person interview this week.
The #Jaguars are lining up in-person second interviews for their GM job next week, with #Packers VP of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan and #Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham among others on the list, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 15, 2025
Interim GM Ethan Waugh also is expected to interview next week.
While it remains to be determined if Cunningham will have personnel control, many in league circles believe him to be the favorite. Cunningham would have a quarterback in place with Trevor Lawrence, but the dynamic between him and Coen could be something to monitor. Coen indirectly played a part in the Jaguars moving on from their previous general manager, Trent Baalke. It would seem unlikely that Coen, on the surface, wouldn't have some type of final say over the roster.
In any event, Cunningham landing with the Jaguars would be the first offseason win for the Bears. If Cunningham gets the job, the Bears would receive the Jaguars' third-round back in both the 2025 and 2026 NFL Draft. In an offseason where the Bears are potentially looking to add three new starters along the offensive line, the additional draft pick will certainly come in handy.
However, it's not as if Ryan Poles has proven to be an excellent evaluator of talent for third-round picks. The misses Poles has had in the third-round for the Bears include Velus Jones Jr. and Zacch Pickens. Jones is already off the Bears' roster and Pickens may not be far behind. Poles' third-round pick from last year, Kiran Amegadjie, shouldn't be labeled a bust just yet but it's clear the Bears took him entirely too early. Repeating those mistakes can not happen if the Ben Johnson era for the Bears is going to get off on the right foot.