Chicago Bears already have Ian Cunningham’s replacement in mind

Last week, reports surfaced that Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles was working with Matt Ryan to help the Atlanta Falcons during their hiring process.

Poles and Ryan were teammates at Boston College. On Jan. 10, Ryan was named the president of football with the Falcons, a newly created position that will serve as the primary football executive for the team.

Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham was a candidate for both the president of football gig and general manager position with Atlanta.

Because taking the general manager job with Atlanta would be a lateral move, Chicago would not receive two compensatory draft picks if Cunningham became the Falcons general manager.

A source told ChiCitySports last week that Bears head coach Ben Johnson wouldn’t be unhappy if Cunningham took the job with the Falcons.

CCS has more to add to that story this weekend.

It appears Johnson has his eyes on a possible replacement for Cunningham.

Per a source with knowledge of the Falcons search, don’t be surprised if Bears senior director of player personnel Jeff King gets a look for the assistant general manager job if Cunningham takes the job in Atlanta.

King is a guy that’s highly respected inside Halas Hall, and could be a “prime” candidate to become the assistant general manager if Cunningham leaves.

Chicago Bears think highly of Jeff King