The Chicago Bears front office and coaching staff face potential seismic shifts as key personnel are targeted in a flurry of league-wide movement, with critical decisions on compensation and replacements looming. General Manager Ryan Poles could see his top lieutenant depart for a division rival, while his defensive staff braces for a poaching attempt and his new offensive coordinator may already be eyeing a familiar face for his own staff.
Ian Cunningham, the Bears’ Assistant General Manager and Poles’ right-hand man, is a finalist for the Atlanta Falcons’ vacant General Manager position. Cunningham is set for an in-person interview this week, competing against Houston Texans assistant GM James Liipfort for the role. This marks Cunningham’s third interview with Atlanta this cycle, having previously interviewed for the President of Football Operations job that went to Matt Ryan.
The situation presents a complex dilemma for the Bears organization. While supportive of Cunningham’s ascension, a major point of contention remains whether Chicago would receive compensatory draft picks if he secures the Atlanta job. The NFL’s rules award third-round picks in consecutive years to teams that lose minority candidates to primary football executive positions.
A technical debate has erupted over whether the Falcons’ GM role qualifies, as it operates under President Ryan. CBS Sports reported the job could be considered a “secondary football executive position,” potentially denying the Bears valuable capital. Many around the league view such an outcome as absurd, given the role is expected to carry heavy roster control and represents a clear promotion.
The connection between the Falcons and Cunningham is deeply personal, rooted in the close relationship between Ryan Poles and Matt Ryan, former Boston College teammates. Ryan has visited Halas Hall multiple times since Poles took over, making Cunningham a natural and endorsed candidate for the Falcons’ new leadership structure. A decision from Atlanta is expected by the end of the week.
On the coaching front, the Pittsburgh Steelers are unlikely to hire Bears passing game coordinator and secondary coach Al Harris as their new defensive coordinator, according to a source. Harris, who has interviewed for multiple DC vacancies this offseason, was connected to Pittsburgh through his history with head coach Mike McCarthy from their time in Green Bay and Dallas.
This development is a significant relief for Chicago’s defensive staff under coordinator Eric Washington. Harris is highly valued for his role in developing a secondary that has consistently been among the league leaders in interceptions and takeaways. With other notable openings like Green Bay and Washington already filled, the path for Harris to return to Chicago in 2025 appears clearer.
The Bears would likely match any financial offer from another team to retain Harris, especially for a non-play-calling coordinator role. His potential departure would have created a substantial void in a defensive backroom already undergoing change. While other opportunities could still emerge with remaining head coaching hires, the Steelers were considered a primary threat.
In a related offensive development, the recent firing of New York Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand has sparked speculation about a potential reunion in Chicago. Engstrand was the Detroit Lions’ pass game coordinator under new Bears offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for the past two seasons before following Aaron Glenn to New York.
His sudden availability presents an intriguing option for Johnson as he constructs his Bears offensive staff. The possibility becomes more tangible if Chicago’s current offensive coordinator, Luke Getsy, were to land another position elsewhere, a scenario that has been rumored with interest from other clubs. Engstrand’s familiarity with Johnson’s system and philosophy could make him a valuable addition in a senior offensive role.
The Bears’ offseason strategy now hinges on a delicate balance of supporting staff advancement while protecting the franchise’s interests and maintaining continuity. The potential loss of Ian Cunningham without draft pick compensation would be a harsh blow, undermining the league’s stated diversity incentives. Retaining Al Harris is crucial for defensive stability, while Ben Johnson’s early staff movements will be closely watched for signs of his offensive vision.
These interconnected narratives underscore the relentless pace of the NFL’s personnel carousel. The coming days will bring clarity to Atlanta’s decision, finality on Harris’s status, and the beginning of Johnson’s architectural work on offense. Each outcome will significantly shape the Bears’ trajectory as they build around a young core, with the front office navigating the dual challenges of opportunity and retention in a competitive league landscape.
The league office’s ruling on the compensatory pick issue will be watched closely, setting a precedent for how executive roles under a President of Football Operations are classified. For the Bears, the difference is the value of a potential top-100 selection in each of the next two drafts, a substantial asset for a team in the midst of a roster build. The situation highlights the often-Byzantine nature of NFL rules and their real-world impact on team building.
As the final head coaching vacancies fill, the last wave of coordinator and position coach musical chairs will commence. Chicago finds itself at the center of multiple stories, from the front office to the defensive backfield to the offensive meeting room. The decisions made in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and at Halas Hall itself this week will resonate through the organization’s 2025 season and beyond, defining the support system for the team’s foundational players.
