The NFL revealed the compensatory picks being awarded this year at the start of free agency. The Chicago Bears were not listed anywhere on the list. That made it clear the league had ruled on the Ian Cunningham situation in Atlanta. There would be no compensation for the Bears, despite clear evidence that the Falcons had met the Rooney Rule requirements by giving the new general manager full roster control. Yet because Matt Ryan held the higher football title, it wasn’t happening. Bears general manager Ryan Poles finally got the chance to speak on that during his post-free agency press conference on Thursday.
One must remember Poles isn’t known for overly emotional displays. What he expressed when he got the question was probably the most you’re going to see from him. It was beyond obvious he wasn’t happy with the ruling, stating he would revisit the topic at the owners meetings later this month.
One doesn’t need to be a psychiatrist to tell what Poles was thinking. He felt the league had screwed the Bears out of those compensatory picks on a technicality. They were content to look stupid in the media’s eyes rather than admit they made a mistake. Par for the course in this league.
The Ian Cunningham issue will certainly motivate the team.
Little slights like this, real or perceived, tend to create plenty of motivation. It isn’t exclusive to the players on the field. Coaches and executives are just as competitive as them. Poles will feel like he has something to prove going into next April. Like, ‘Fine, if you don’t want to give me the picks we deserve, then we’re going to crush this draft just to spite you.’ Don’t be surprised if the Bears GM does some extra wheeling and dealing to secure more picks, eager to get the flexibility he feels he’s owed.
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Sadly, there isn’t much else to do. The NFL has made its ruling. They can’t back out of it now. Once the draft order is set, it stays that way. There has never been a late change. Poles’ decision to hold off on answering questions was likely an effort to get his head clear. He doesn’t want to risk saying something he’ll regret, especially with free agency still ongoing. The answer he will have a couple of weeks from now will be tinged with less emotion, which is probably the smart choice.
Poles at least did well not to overreact.
This is not in reference to the press conference. It is about his approach to free agency. Having learned he wouldn’t get the comp picks, it would’ve been easy for the Bears GM to get more aggressive on the veteran market. Sacrifice more money to plug gaps on the roster. Instead, he maintained discipline, handing out a few sizable contracts before shifting to a measured approach for depth. As a result, the Bears remain under the salary cap without having to restructure any contracts and have all of their top draft picks.
The Ian Cunningham saga will go down as one of frustration and bitterness. Bears fans feel they were robbed. Poles clearly feels the same way. Every angle of this situation said they should’ve received the picks. Instead, the NFL shafted them. How the team responds to this perceived slight will be entertaining in the coming months. It is run by guys who tend to manufacture ways to get motivated. This should be an easy sell.
