Bears Pro Personnel Director Ballard Leaves for Chiefs

Phil Emery and Chris Ballard (Photo via ChicagoNow)

The Bears continue to evolve on and off the field.  Word came out late last week that Director of Pro Personnel Chris Ballard is leaving Chicago to take a promotion with the Kansas City Chiefs.  Ballard basically becomes the assistant GM to John Dorsey, as he will oversee pro and college scouting for the Chiefs.

Ballard spent 12 seasons with the Chicago Bears, with his first 11 as a scout responsible for the southwest region, leading him to scout such Chicago Bears as PeanutTillman, Johnny Knox, Matt Forte and Tommie Harris from his area.  Phil Emery promoted Ballard to director of Pro Personnel last season.

The Bears have promoted Kevin Turks to take Ballard’s place running the Pro Scouting Department.  Turks has been with the Bears since 2001.  Here’s what the Bears website has on him:

"Kevin Turks is in his eleventh season with the Chicago Bears and his fifth as Assistant Director of Pro Personnel. Turks joined the Bears as an intern in 2001 assisting in pro/college scouting before being named a pro scout the following year. He served in that role from 2002-08 before being promoted to Assistant Director of Pro Personnel in 2008."

At least Turks has been an assistant in the Pro Scouting department for the last few years.  He still has some work left to do, with some veteran free agents out there who could help the Bears add some depth in key positions or at least provide some competition.