Ian Cunningham, the highly respected assistant general manager of the Chicago Bears, has been rewarded with a multi-year contract extension, a source confirmed Wednesday morning. Cunningham is considered a close friend and trusted deputy of GM Ryan Poles. He previously interviewed for various GM positions, showcasing his capabilities within NFL circles. Despite the extension, Cunningham remains eligible to pursue GM roles in the future, but his commitment to working alongside Poles remains strong.
Cunningham played offensive line in college and has worked for several NFL teams, including the Ravens and Eagles, before joining the Bears in 2022. He spent the last season with the Eagles as player personnel director. Like Poles, Cunningham played offensive line in college.
“Just extremely grateful for the opportunity,” Cunningham said Tuesday of working with Poles. “Not many people in any walk in life get to work with arguably one of their best friends. So for me to be able to work alongside him, for him to trust me.”
The contract extension is a testament to Cunningham’s contributions to the Bears organization. He has played a key role in helping Poles rebuild the team’s roster and establish a winning culture. Cunningham’s expertise and experience will continue to be invaluable to the Bears as they look to compete for a Super Bowl in the future.
