...A token black? 

I don't like it one bit, if so.  It's not cool to jerk someone around.  It's also rekindles racial distrust.  Thoughts...

Maybe he’s just not as good as the others? Maybe not the best at relaying his ideas, his plans, the future of prospective organizations? Who knows?

From his first year as a scout in 2013 to being even considered for GM jobs seems like a fairly meteoric rise. 

These are billions of dollars being discussed with NFL organizations. Do you really believe they care more about the racial percentage of someone in a GM role when 75% of their players are black and there are billions of dollars on the line?

This past week, when Mike Tomlin resigned from being head coach of the Steelers, some professional race hustler and national commentator accused the Steelers of being a racist organization.

So, um, the owners are the Rooneys, famous for creating the Rooney rule? So definitely not racist. In fact all these teams want to win and make money more than they care about ANYTHING else, especially race.

I think the some people in this national discussion have good motives, and some have bad ones. But all in all the idea that the NFL is racist is laughable. Certainly there are racist people in this world, but I wonder if creating special categories for people based on race doesnt do more to feed the race baiters such as the commentator I mentioned than it does to solve anything with good people of all races. I feel the same about DEI.

Racism sucks. Race baiters suck. I dont think the NFL is racist, but I think because of their willingness to bow to some of these demands, it just invites more accusations of racism by those who arent concerned with fairness, but just want to make political points.

And then there is the question of how Black is someone? If they have one Black parent is that enough? What about a single Black grandparent?

People like Hitler and the KKK were asking those same questions. This is a farce.

But all that said, if some stupidity gets us two 3rd round picks, then Ill take them.

The NFL and NBA has a majority of black players not because of race but because they are the best at what they do. I wish society would use that metric when applying to anything. 

I never complain because they're not a lot of Croatians in the NFL , I'm okay with it.

10 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I never complain because they're not a lot of Croatians in the NFL , I'm okay with it.

My boy Jurko is Croatian.  So is Bill Belichick.

11 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

My boy Jurko is Croatian.  So is Bill Belichick.

I didn't know that.

Something I noticed and am not sure has been discussed yet is that Matt Ryan is the president of the Falcons.  Ryan and Poles were roommates in college.  Cross your fingers...

17 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

Something I noticed and am not sure has been discussed yet is that Matt Ryan is the president of the Falcons.  Ryan and Poles were roommates in college.  Cross your fingers...

I could see a lot of transactions between the two teams going forward. The Cunningham thing will be interesting because somehow the GM in Atlanta is not the head football guy and would not warrant 2x 3rd Round comp picks. If that is the case, that is a terrible rule and loophole. The Bears should just promote Poles then and make Cunningham the GM by title.

1 hour ago, adam said:

I could see a lot of transactions between the two teams going forward. The Cunningham thing will be interesting because somehow the GM in Atlanta is not the head football guy and would not warrant 2x 3rd Round comp picks. If that is the case, that is a terrible rule and loophole. The Bears should just promote Poles then and make Cunningham the GM by title.

Atlanta fired their GM 

2 hours ago, adam said:

I could see a lot of transactions between the two teams going forward. The Cunningham thing will be interesting because somehow the GM in Atlanta is not the head football guy and would not warrant 2x 3rd Round comp picks. If that is the case, that is a terrible rule and loophole. The Bears should just promote Poles then and make Cunningham the GM by title.

great idea!

1 hour ago, Mongo3451 said:

Atlanta fired their GM 

yes but apparently, as team president, Ryan will make football decisions which makes their GM job not a step up for Cunningham in the sense that it would not garner the comp picks.

The owner came out and said the GM will  make roster decisions that doesn't sound like he's a token hire. Will Ryan have input, of course but why hire a GM if you don't have anything for him to do.

Matt Ryan has been named the Atlanta Falcons' President of Football as of January 10, 2026, leaving his role as a CBS Sports analyst to return to the organization. In this new front-office position, he oversees all football operations, reports to owner Arthur Blank, and is actively leading the search for a new head coach and general manager.

Blank was asked that direct question in an interview, ( oversees) , it's Ryan's job to hire the GM. I'm just repeating what I read, why would anyone take that job if all he's going to do is get coffee for Ryan. Didn't they room together in college or something like that? They probably have a close relationship.

Isn't that the same job Warren has here? He doesn't make roster decisions here , Poles does.

Just saw Cunningham is interviewing...

7 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

Something I noticed and am not sure has been discussed yet is that Matt Ryan is the president of the Falcons.  Ryan and Poles were roommates in college.  Cross your fingers...

A few weeks ago I brought it up that they played together at Boston College and that there was a rumor that Matt might want Poles as his GM. 

If Poles can block Ian from the job, he should (imo).  The Bears cannot let the NFL/Falcons get away from acquiring our talent without compensation by using a loop.  

10 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

A few weeks ago I brought it up that they played together at Boston College and that there was a rumor that Matt might want Poles as his GM. 

If Poles can block Ian from the job, he should (imo).  The Bears cannot let the NFL/Falcons get away from acquiring our talent without compensation by using a loop.  

What loop?  If Cunningham goes to the Falcons, we get 3rd rounders.  Am I missing something?

46 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

What loop?  If Cunningham goes to the Falcons, we get 3rd rounders.  Am I missing something?

yes, there are a lot of conversations going on that if Ryan makes the final call on draft picks, that Cunningham would be considered a lateral move. Im not saying I know what Ryans role is, I sure dont, but apparently if that is true, then we dont get the picks. Thats the story anyway, Im not saying it will or wont happen. But it's out there being discussed.

Like does the GM in Dallas have final say over football decisions? Absolutely not. You know Jerry Jones.
And does ownership have some input on players Poles drafts? Sure, but not as much, and he is a GM.

And somewhere between those two is a question about Ryan.

What if we sent Poles to the Falcons and promoted Cunningham? Id do that! Gimme two 3rds and we will call the whole thing even LOL

1 hour ago, Mongo3451 said:

What loop?  If Cunningham goes to the Falcons, we get 3rd rounders.  Am I missing something?

Many internet experts are saying no 3rd rd compensation picks. Poles needs to have an emergency discussion with the commissioner because this title GM will come with a pay raise.  No matter who makes the final calls, its a promotion.  If the commissioner sides with no comp, then that title should not be used or official. 

6 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

What loop?  If Cunningham goes to the Falcons, we get 3rd rounders.  Am I missing something?

It's been stated we don't get the comp picks. Going from Assistant GM to a GM is an upgrade for a job. Not sure where people suggest that it's something different. I think it's just pundits looking for clicks, no truth to it according to the owner of the Falcons.

5 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Many internet experts are saying no 3rd rd compensation picks. Poles needs to have an emergency discussion with the commissioner because this title GM will come with a pay raise.  No matter who makes the final calls, its a promotion.  If the commissioner sides with no comp, then that title should not be used or official. 

The bears have one of most diverse organizations in the NFL.  No commissioner is going to call this a sideways move. The fact he would get a huge pay raise speaks for itself.

11 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Many internet experts are saying no 3rd rd compensation picks. Poles needs to have an emergency discussion with the commissioner because this title GM will come with a pay raise.  No matter who makes the final calls, its a promotion.  If the commissioner sides with no comp, then that title should not be used or official. 

By all means, this rant is not directed to anyone here.

The Internet experts are full of crap.  I can't find anywhere that states anything that anyone on this board are speculating.  Matt Ryan is president of football and is looking for a general manager.  Regardless of anything else, it will be an executive position within the category of the pick compensation.  There is also nothing in print that outlines Ryan's job.  I'm fully convinced, IF Ian gets the job, we will get the picks.

18 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

By all means, this rant is not directed to anyone here.

The Internet experts are full of crap.  I can't find anywhere that states anything that anyone on this board are speculating.  Matt Ryan is president of football and is looking for a general manager.  Regardless of anything else, it will be an executive position within the category of the pick compensation.  There is also nothing in print that outlines Ryan's job.  I'm fully convinced, IF Ian gets the job, we will get the picks.

Biggs, Cronin and someone over at suntimes have all reported the Falcons GM job would not be eligible. Cronin I believe said Bears intend to protest and request the picks. 

Are you sure people aren't just repeating a rumor? No one sites a NFL employee or the owner saying that. 

I think it's speculation. The owner was asked that very question in an interview and denied the allegation. 

Like Mongo said he's making more money, a higher position of importance. Why is this the first time that this situation ever popped up before?

2 hours ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

Biggs, Cronin and someone over at suntimes have all reported the Falcons GM job would not be eligible. Cronin I believe said Bears intend to protest and request the picks. 

Digging deeper.  Matt Ryan publicly stated that the GM and head coach will have roster authority.  This should put fake news to rest...