A New Twist In the Champ Kelly GM Watch for the Bears
News came out over a week ago that the New York Jets were in the hunt for a new general manager. This after firing Mike Maccagnan despite allowing him to run their search for a new head coach and their draft. Odd timing aside, it appears the team has a short list of candidates they like. Chief among them is Chicago Bears Assistant Director of Player Personnel, Champ Kelly.
The man is widely respected around the NFL. Noted best for his outstanding work in pro scouting. He helped the Denver Broncos deliver one of the best free agent classes of all-time in 2014. A group that included Demarcus Ware, T.J. Ward, and Aqib Talib. Then he came to Chicago at the behest of GM Ryan Pace and immediately helped them secure Akiem Hicks and Danny Trevathan.
It’s little wonder he is garnering interest. Never mind the fact he has deep ties to Jets head coach Adam Gase. The two worked together both in Denver and Chicago. However, it doesn’t appear like he’s the favorite. Another former Bear, Joe Douglas is currently seen as the likely choice. He spent a couple of years in Chicago before heading to Philadelphia.
Some will believe this makes it less likely Kelly leaves. Then again, maybe not.
Joe Douglas may try to grab Champ Kelly anyway
People might be overlooking a key fact in this scenario. Douglas and Kelly know each other. They worked together in Chicago. That familiarity is something that new GMs often look for when adding to their front offices. Rich Cimini of ESPN pointed out that there is an undercurrent of belief that Douglas may try to bring Kelly east if he ends up being the guy.
“There’s some talk in league circles that Douglas, if he gets the job, could try to pry Kelly from the Bears to be his right-hand man. They have a good relationship. Kelly, 40, has spent most of his career in pro scouting; his work on the college side is limited. With his charisma, Kelly would win the introductory news conference, but some wonder if the jump from assistant director to GM is too big. Fun fact: Kelly has a master’s degree in business and worked for IBM as a software engineer.”
Certainly something to keep in mind. There’s no doubt Kelly would get a promotion were he to go to New York, putting him one step closer to his own GM job in the future. While there is no doubt the Bears would miss him, Pace is the type of person who would wish him the best of luck. A reminder of how supportive this family is.