The Chicago Bears contacted at least 12 general managers and nine coaching candidates for interviews. As they go through this process, we look at each of the potential clients.
The team announced that on Friday, Jeff Ireland was interviewed for the position of general manager.
<знак класса="hl_orange">Jeff Ireland
Title: Assistant General Manager New Orleans Saints – College Staff
Age: 51
Experience
Ireland joined the Saints in 2015, effectively replacing Ryan Pace after he left New Orleans to become the Bears’ general manager.
Ireland has been in the GM seat before, holding the title with the Miami Dolphins from 2008 to 2013. He inherited a 1-15 team that immediately achieved outstanding success with an 11-5 record and the AFC East title.
Ireland’s eight players have won 14 Pro Bowl tackles during his tenure. In the season between Miami and New Orleans, he was a consultant for the Seattle Seahawks. He spent seven years (2001-07) with the Dallas Cowboys, starting as a national scout and becoming a college vice president and professional scout.
Ireland was a District Scout for the Kansas City Chiefs for four years, and from 1994 to 1996 he was a District Scout for the National Football Scout Association.
Ireland was a Baylor kicker from 1988 to 1991 and coached special teams in North Texas from 1992 to 1993. Ireland had two interviews with GM last year, a meeting with the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions.
You must know
Ireland have been instrumental in some amazing New Orleans draft picks, including in the class of 2017 that helped the Saints to 11 or more wins four straight seasons after three straight 7-9 finishes.
Corner Marshawn Lattimore and running back Alvin Camara were Rookie of the Year, becoming the first duo from the same team to accomplish the feat since 1967. The class also included right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, defenseman Marcus Williams and inside linebacker. Alex Anzalone. This is definitely one of the best draft classes in the last 30 years.
Association with bears
In the 1980s, Ireland was a player for the Bears. His grandfather Jim Parmer was a legendary scout for the Bears, serving with the team from 1973 to 1992. Parmer is credited as the driving force behind the Bears’ recruiting of many great players, including linebacker Dan Hampton and center midfielder Mike Singletary.
What was said
“The signing of Jeff was a huge deal for us,” said Saints coach Sean Payton during the 2017 season. “(Our drafting process) has been completely redesigned. I think Jeff has done an outstanding job and the way we look at players has been overhauled. And I think the results are paying off, fortunately for us.”
