Days after being hired as the next Bears general manager, Ryan Poles reached an agreement to bring in a right-hand man. Eagles exec Ian Cunningham is joining Poles’ staff as assistant GM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Cunningham has been a key Howie Roseman lieutenant in Philadelphia for years, having risen to the position of player personnel director. Cunningham interviewed for the Bears job Friday.
A Ravens staffer for nine years, Cunningham joined Philly’s staff in 2017 and climbed the ranks since. The Jets attempted to hire Cunningham in multiple offseasons, but he ended up staying with the Eagles. The young exec, however, will make the move this offseason and work with a first-time GM in the 36-year-old Poles.
Despite not working together previously, Poles and Cunningham are close. Each was an ACC offensive lineman, with the latter playing at Virginia in the 2000s. Both were UDFAs in 2008, and Cunningham briefly landed with the Chiefs. The 30-somethings will be the point men leading a Bears rebuild effort.