Bears Fire GM Angelo

Added on Jan 03, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

The Chicago Bears have dismissed one of their braintrust, but it’s not the one some fans and pundits might have anticipated. General Manger Jerry Angelo received his walking papers today, ending his eleven-year reign as the Bears front office shotcaller. Lovie Smith will remain as head coach, although changes could be made to the rest of his staff. Chicago finished 8-8 in 2011 after advancing to last January’s NFC Championship game.

Angelo was hired in 2001 and helped construct a team that would win four NFC North division titles and the 2006 conference championship. However, since losing Super Bowl XLI to Indianapolis, the Bears failed to reach the playoffs in four of the next five seasons.

Angelo, whose contract ran through 2013, had been under fire in recent years due to questionable draft picks and free agent acquisitions. First-round selections Cedric Benson and Chris Williams, and free agents like Orlando Pace and Chester Taylor didn’t live up to expectations.

On the plus side, he did engineer the deal that brought quarterback Jay Cutler to the windy city, landed prized defensive end Julius Peppers prior to the 2010 season and drafted future Pro Bowlers such as Tommie Harris, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman and running back Matt Forte.

However, repeatedly shaking up the assistant coaching staff and not finding significant talent at wide receiver tarnished Angelo’s reputation as a personnel guru. The decision to not sign a veteran backup behind Cutler also proved disastrous this season as Chicago went 1-5 with Caleb Hanie and Josh McCown under center.

There is some speculation the team will pursue Bill Polian, who was fired by the Colts on Monday. Polian is perhaps the most respected and successful front office executive in football. His teams in Buffalo, Carolina and Indianapolis participated in eight conference championship games and five Super Bowls.

Other rumored candidates to replace Angelo are Baltimore’s Eric DeCosta and Green Bay’s Reggie McKenzie.

Source: NFL.com