UPDATE: The Jacksonville Jaguars announced on Friday that they have hired James Gladstone as their new general manager. This is the second time this hiring cycle that Cunningham has advanced into the latter stages of a GM job search only to narrowly miss the hire.

UPDATE: The Jacksonville Jaguars announced on Feb. 14 that Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham had formally interviewed for their open general manager position. They also interview him for a second time on Wednesday.

Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham is going to interview for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ opening at general manager, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported on Tuesday, citing sources.

RELATED CONTENT:

• NFL mock draft roundup: Bears get Myles Garrett for No. 10 overall (and more)
• NFL Power Rankings 2025: Jalen Hurts, Eagles No. 1 after Super Bowl
• What Bears are getting in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen
• Dennis Allen describes what his Bears defense will look like

Additionally, Breer says that Cunningham is a strong candidate for the gig.

Cunningham also interviewed twice for the GM job in Tennessee, which ultimately went to Mike Borgonzi. He was a Titans candidate when it was last open as well.

Cunningham came to Chicago in 2022, hired by GM Ryan Poles into his current role. He was with the Philadelphia Eagles for five years, working up the ranks from director of college scouting to director of player personnel.

He got his start in Baltimore, with nine years there as a personnel assistant and then an area scout.

Poles is a big Cunningham fan and thinks he’s ready for a GM job. He pushed for his assistant during public comments this offseason, after three strong years as an important part of the Bears roster improvement through the draft, free agency and in trade talks. Poles has long been a big believer, as evidenced by this comments about Cunningham in 2022.

“The one thing I’ve learned just working with past general managers is you get pulled in so many different directions,” Poles said, via the team website. “That’s just a part of this league. So, to have a right-hand man that can keep the evaluation process going while you’re getting pulled in different directions is critical. And I trust in Ian. We have a great relationship. We have a very similar philosophy. And he’s a good person overall, so he’s going to be able to help bring the group together.”