Chicago Bears Catch Another Huge Break Ahead Of Crucial Off-season

The Chicago Bears know how important this 2024 off-season will be to their long-term plans. GM Ryan Poles has a foundation in place with a good mix of established veterans and up-and-coming youngsters. He has lots of cap space for an aggressive push in free agency and two top 10 picks in the NFL draft. If he utilized his resources properly, this team could join the playoff chase next season. One crucial element to this is ensuring he has his absolute best people on the job, working with him on each crucial step.

For a time, it looked like his primary lieutenant wouldn't be around long enough to help. Assistant GM Ian Cunningham was a hot candidate for top jobs around the NFL last year. It looked like the same was true again this spring as he drew interviews from multiple organizations. It felt like he was the favorite to land in Los Angeles with the Chargers. However, things took a turn once Jim Harbaugh arrived as head coach. Now the team has chosen Baltimore Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz to assume the GM mantle.

That means Cunningham will be in place for a third crucial Bears off-season.

The Chicago Bears are fortunate to retain Cunningham.

He is widely viewed as one of the top young executives in the league. He was developed in Baltimore's scouting system for years before heading to Philadelphia where he helped them construct the 2017 and 2022 Super Bowl rosters. Poles has said countless times his eye for talent has been a critical part of the Bears' process in rebuilding the roster. Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright, Gervon Dexter, Tyrique Stevenson, and Roschon Johnson are all selections with his fingerprints on them.

Now he will likely be involved in the Chicago Bears' selection of a new quarterback. This could prove crucial since he was with the Ravens when they selected Joe Flacco and the Eagles when they selected Jalen Hurts. Both processes were different but both yielded positive results. Cunningham understands what key traits to look for at the position. One can safely assume if the Bears finally hit on the position, that GM job won't be far behind. This is an opportunity the organization can't waste.