Chicago Bears fans might still be trying to process the news on their new stadium location, but they at least got some good news in the front office.
After former assistant general manager Ian Cunningham left for the Atlanta Falcons to take their general manager job, the Bears have found their replacement. The team announced that Bears senior director of player personnel Jeff King has been promoted to assistant general manager.
"We congratulate Jeff on his elevation within our football operations department," Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. "Jeff has earned this promotion through his commitment to our team and his excellence within our operation, as well as the positive impact that he has created throughout our organization. We look forward to Jeff's continued leadership and contributions as we work toward building a sustained winner."
Bears promote Jeff King to assistant GM
King played in the NFL for seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals from 2006 through 2012. After his playing career ended, he became a scouting intern before joining the Bears full-time in 2016. He slowly worked his way up to director of pro scouting in 2020, then to co-director of player personnel in 2022, before becoming senior director of player personnel for the last two years.
"I'm super lucky," King said in a statement. "I've been here 12 years. That doesn't happen. When I walked in here 12 years ago as an intern, I didn't think it would go this far, but I've been very lucky and appreciative of this organization because it is special.
"I am honored to be able to continue representing the Chicago Bears organization, and I am thankful and appreciative to George H. McCaskey, the McCaskey family, Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles for their trust and belief in me. This is a special organization. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to grow and develop here, starting as an intern, and I look forward to continuing to help build our team as we work toward our collective pursuit of sustained excellence."
Read more: Bears fans won't have any notes on Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock draft
With the front office coming into shape, the Bears are looking solid to get the work going on the NFL Draft and find the right free agents to bring into the team for a Super Bowl run in 2026.