The could soon be without a sistant general manager Ian Cunningham, who completed an interview with the on Friday. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has long believed Cunningham is destined to become a general manager, and he nearly landed a role in 2024 before ultimately deciding to remain in Chicago after interviewing with the . Following the Bears most succe sful season in 15 years, Atlanta emerged as a potential next stop. MORE: The Falcons have recently undergone a significant front-office overhaul, J.c. Hassenauer Jersey naming former star quarterback Matt Ryan as president of football operations and hiring Kevin Stefanski as head coach. Under normal circumstances, if Cunningham were to leave for a general manager position elsewhere, the Bears would receive compensatory draft picks. However, because Ryan is viewed as Atlantas primary football decision-maker, Cunninghams potential move would be cla sified as lateral, meaning Chicago would not receive compensatory picks, MORE: Because the move would be considered lateral, the Bears technically could have blocked Cunningham from interviewing with the Falcons. The fact that he met with Atlanta suggests Poles and the organization are not standing in his way. Atlanta has cast a wide net in its search, also interviewing San Francisco director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, a sistant general manager Mike Bradway, senior personnel director and adviser to the general manager Joe Douglas, a sistant general manager Andy Weidl, and a sistant general manager James Liipfert. More Bears news: Daron Payne Jersey