Bears’ Ian Cunningham turned down Cardinals’ GM job

The Chicago Bears’ front office received some good news Thursday. Assistant general manager Ian Cunningham will remain with the team in 2023 after turning down the Arizona Cardinals’ general manager position, according to FOX Sports Jay Glazer.

Cunningham interviewed with the Cardinals last Thursday.

“I always knew that I wanted to be in personnel,” Cunningham said after joining the Bears last May. “I always enjoyed building a team, constructing a roster, finding the pieces of the puzzle that fit.”

General manager Ryan Poles said this week that he’s prepared for Cunningham’s departure, although he didn’t think it would happen so quickly.

“It’d be a big loss, but at the same time, I was prepared for this,” Poles said of Cunningham. “Did I think it was going to be less than 12 months? No. But I’m not shocked at all. It’s not going to be long. If it’s this year, next year, I have a plan for it and I feel good about it. I didn’t expect he would be here long.”

With the Chicago Bears entering a critical offseason, having Ian Cunningham in the building is a huge plus. The Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and are slated to have the most money to spend in free agency. Poles keeping his right-hand man will ensure Chicago is in the best position for success.