Overview
- Chicago’s appeal ended Friday when the NFL said the matter was closed and confirmed the Bears will not receive compensatory draft picks.
- League officials said Resolution JC-2A only covers hires into a team’s primary football executive role, and Atlanta listed Matt Ryan in that position with Cunningham reporting to him.
- The Bears pressed their case in New York with Roger Goodell as owner George McCaskey, president Kevin Warren and GM Ryan Poles cited public comments that Cunningham runs day-to-day GM duties.
- Chicago now enters the 2026 draft with seven selections rather than the two additional third-rounders it sought under the diversity-compensation rule.
- The decision drew widespread criticism and spotlights how teams’ job titles can control eligibility under JC-2A, a tension that could fuel calls to clarify or revise the policy.