Just one day before the draft, and a day after Ryan Poles heaped praise on his No. 2, the team announced he’s been extended.
The Chicago Bears have extended assistant general manager Ian Cunningham, Adam Schefter reported Wednesday.
Cunningham is GM Ryan Poles’ right-hand man, often literally. The two can be seen walking and talking side-by-side at training camp and have been spotted often together throughout this offseason and draft process.
Just yesterday in the team’s pre-draft media conference, the pair met the media and Poles opened with effusive praise for Cunningham.
“I am blessed out of my socks to have him by my side that is not a yes man,” Poles said of Cunningham Tuesday during their pre-draft press conference. “We would not be where we are today without Ian being an incredible partner.”
Cunningham joined the Ryan Poles front office in 2022, coming from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was also highly regarded.
Cunningham has interviewed for NFL front office jobs the past couple of years. He passed on the Arizona Cardinals job before last season. He’s expected to be a top candidate again next offseason.
Bears have signed assistant GM Ian Cunningham to a contract extension, per source. Cunningham has been the top lieutenant to Bears GM Ryan Poles as they have reconstructed the Chicago’s roster. Cunningham is expected to be one of the top GM candidates in the next hiring cycle. pic.twitter.com/UALKaRmELI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2024