Who will be the next general manager of the Chicago Bears? The franchise is hiring its fourth GM in Chairman George McCaskey’s 12th season.
Here is a list of potential candidates, in alphabetical order.
Morocco Brown, Colts director of college scouting
A former pro scout for the Bears, Brown was director of pro personnel in Washington before moving to Cleveland as vice president of player personnel. He later landed on the college side with the Colts, who have drafted well in recent years.
Ryan Cowden, Titans vice president of player personnel
After a long run on the college side in Carolina, he oversees pro and college scouting in Tennessee. Cowden interviewed for the Washington Football Team GM job last year.
Thomas Dimitroff, former Falcons general manager
The Falcons ultimately unraveled under Dimitroff, but they were very competitive for a good stretch and reached a Super Bowl.
Ed Dodds, Colts assistant general manager
A longtime national scout in Seattle, Dodds moved to Indianapolis to work with Chris Ballard. Dodds interviewed with the Lions and Panthers last year.
Brandon Hunt, Steelers pro scouting coordinator
He has been in the role with the Steelers since 2010 and could be an in-house replacement for Pittsburgh GM Kevin Colbert, who reportedly will retire after the NFL draft.
Jeff Ireland, Saints vice president/assistant GM
A ball boy for the Bears during the 1980s, Ireland is credited with guiding some very strong drafts in New Orleans. He has been in the GM role previously with the Dolphins and was a fast riser in scouting with the Cowboys. His grandfather Jim Parmer was a scouting legend for the Bears.
Dwayne Joseph, Raiders director of pro scouting
The former Bears cornerback worked as the director of player development for the Raiders before getting into scouting on the pro and college sides. He was in Philadelphia when the Eagles won the Super Bowl.
Champ Kelly, Bears assistant director of player personnel
It’s probably unlikely the Bears would consider an in-house candidate, but Kelly got consideration around the league the last few years, getting interviews with Carolina and Denver for their GM jobs last January.
Omar Khan, Steelers vice president of football and business administration
Khan has long been mentioned as a GM candidate and talked with two teams last year. Like Hunt, he could potentially replace Colbert.
Will McClay, Cowboys vice president of player personnel
McClay is basically the highest-ranking personnel member of the Cowboys not related to Jerry Jones. He could be on the path to becoming a GM.
Dan Morgan, Panthers assistant general manager
The former standout linebacker moved seamlessly into scouting and has risen in the ranks with the Seahawks, Bills and now Panthers.
Jim Nagy, executive director of the Senior Bowl
A veteran scout who has been a part of staffs that appeared in six Super Bowls (winning four), Nagy would be an interesting candidate. His role in running the Senior Bowl has surely broadened his horizons.
Monti Ossenfort, Titans director of player personnel
The former director of college scouting in New England got two interviews with the Panthers for their GM job last year.
Adam Peters, 49ers assistant GM
The former director of college scouting for the Broncos was a finalist in Carolina a year ago.
Scott Pioli, former Chiefs GM
Pioli was the assistant GM in Atlanta from 2014-19 and had the top role in Kansas City for four years. He’s well-regarded and could be back in the mix at some point.
Louis Riddick, ESPN analyst
A former director of pro personnel for the Eagles, Riddick interviewed with three teams last January. His platform on “Monday Night Football” has surely exposed him to new ideas should an opportunity come his way.
John Schneider, Seahawks GM
The situation in Seattle is tenuous, and no one seems to know what will happen with coach Pete Carroll and Schneider, who got a new contract last January. Carroll has control of the 53-man roster, so Schneider’s potential availability is interesting. The Lions reportedly tried to lure him a year ago, as Schneider has Midwest ties.
Joe Schoen, Bills assistant GM
Buffalo has constructed one of the best rosters in the league. Schoen interviewed in Carolina last year.
Rick Smith, former Texans GM
Smith was the GM in Houston from 2006-17 and has gotten momentum toward another shot recently. He interviewed in Atlanta and Detroit last year.
Rick Spielman, former Vikings GM
The former Bears pro personnel director (1997-99) was fired at the end of the 2021 season along with Vikings coach Mike Zimmer after a 16-year run in Minnesota, the last 10 as GM.
John Spytek, Buccaneers vice president of player personnel
A former college scout for the Broncos, he’s the right-hand man of Bucs GM Jason Licht.
JoJo Wooden, Chargers director of player personnel
Wooden has ample experience on the pro and college sides and could get interest in this cycle.