Bears have pending appeal of Ian Cunningham draft-pick decision
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The Chicago Bears are appealing the NFL's decision to deny them two third-round compensatory draft picks following the hiring of Ian Cunningham as Falcons' general manager.
- Bears president Kevin Warren, owner George McCaskey, and GM Ryan Poles met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss the issue and expect a final ruling soon.
- The NFL denied the picks on the grounds that Matt Ryan, the Falcons' president of football, is the primary football executive, despite Falcons officials affirming Cunningham's role as the true general manager.
- Matt Ryan publicly acknowledged Cunningham as the Falcons' general manager, highlighting a discrepancy between the league's stance and the Falcons' internal structure.
- The NFL faces pressure to uphold its initial decision, complicated by ongoing scrutiny over the Rooney Rule from the Florida attorney general, making a reversal less likely despite the Bears' objections.
