The NFL offseason is fully underway after Super Bowl 59 finished with the Philadelphia Eagles defeating the Kanas City Chiefs by a score of 40-20. Although the Chicago Bears have begun the first part of their vastly important offseason with general manager Ryan Poles hiring Ben Johnson and his coaching staff, the franchise is still waiting on finalization if one of their front office executives will be getting hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars. If assistant general manager Ian Cunningham is hired by the Jaguars to fill their vacant general manager position, Chicago would be rewarded with two third round draft picks, providing immense draft flexibility.
Ryan Poles would receive immense draft flexibility if Ian Cunningham is hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars
Cunningham is to interview with the Jaguars on Friday, and if they decide to hire him, Chicago would be rewarded with the comp selections due to the NFL’s diversity initiative that rewards teams that helps minority candidates get hired to executive roles. He has been with the Bears since in the assistant general manager role since 2022 when he was hired from the Philadelphia Eagles. Cunningham has been seen as Ryan Poles’ right hand man when it comes to roster decisions and draft scouting since Poles was hired in 2022.
If Cunningham is hired and the Bears do obtain an additional third round selection for both the 2025 and 2026 NFL Drafts, Poles and Johnson will be given an immense resource when it comes to improving Chicago’s roster over the next two seasons. Chicago will have four selections in the third rounds, which will either allow Poles to draft more talent or trade for quality veteran talent due to the extra selections. Ryan Poles has the potential to have five selections in the first three rounds of this year’s draft, which is vital given the multiple needs at multiple positions on the roster.
From a standpoint of utilizing the extra selections to draft collegiate talent, Poles and the front office are blessed to have additional picks in a draft that has quality talent in the mid rounds. Having one more selection in the third round allows for flexibility if Ryan Poles and his staff are torn between two players where they could gamble and take one player while hoping to select the other a few picks later. Imagine a scenario where Chicago’s front office is torn between Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson and Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant, but has a chance to take both because of the added selection
The potential of the added selection to create four selections across the second and third round of the 2025 NFL Draft allows Poles to trade up or down with ease in those rounds. If there is a player that Chicago sees as can’t miss in the later part of the second round, they can trade both their third-round picks to obtain a third second rounder. Additionally, Ryan Poles could trade one of his two second round selection for picks in future drafts, knowing his team still can operate with multiple choices before the fourth round.
Having four selections in the third round over the next two years also give Poles immense ammunition to add proven veteran talent via trade and still have draft stock to work with to obtain rookie talent. Chicago could package multiple of their selection to go after an available defensive end such as Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson. Furthermore, the potential of two selections allows Ryan Poles to go after a potential talent that would be even costlier, such as wide receiver Deebo Samuel or running back Jonathan Taylor.
Ryan Poles’ front office staff would be improved with the potential of additional third round selections
If Cunningham ends up going to Jacksonville and Chicago does receive the additional third round selections, it will put additional pressure for Poles and Johnson to find quality talent, whether collegian or pro, immediately. Having two additionally second day selections in the draft over the next two years, would allow for quick on field success in either 2025, or by 2026, depending on how the picks are utilized. If gifted the massive compensation, Ryan Poles can ill afford to misfire on potential selections or a trade with the resources.
The gifted resources, if Cunningham is hired as a general manager by Jacksonville, also allows for the Bears to hire a proven executive to fill the assistant general manager role. Ryan Poles could benefit from adding a veteran talent evaluator with proven success over the past decade, as proven experience has been missing from his front office staff over the past three seasons. With the immense offseason resources, including massive salary cap space, nine potential selections, and an upcoming quarterback talent in Caleb Williams, Poles should be able to find that seasoned executive with ease.
Having the additional selections would allow for Poles to prove himself as a qualified general manager, who deserves to be extended on a long-term basis. During this past offseason, Poles was criticized immensely for his inconsistency when it comes to finding talent via the draft. Through three seasons, Chicago’s general manager has failed to draft a player that went on to be named to a Pro Bowl or as an All-Pro, something his predecessor Ryan Poles achieved during the first three years of his tenure.
Whether Chicago gets two additional third round selections over the next two years will hinge on what transpires with Cunningham’s interview on Friday with the Jaguars. If Chicago’s assistant general manager is hired, Ryan Poles will have put the franchise in a position to have a very successful offseason before Ben Johnson’s first season as new head coach. With potentially four Day two selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, Poles will have put Chicago in a very favorable draft position for the second consecutive offseason, something that is extremely difficult to achieve.
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