Champ Kelly has been an outstanding member of the Chicago Bears front office since Ryan Pace plucked him from Denver back in 2015. He’s helped oversee one of the best rebuilding jobs in franchise history. Among his long list of successes include the Akiem Hicks and Danny Trevathan signings. The Khalil Mack trade. Not to mention getting Allen Robinson as well.
It’s little wonder that the New York Jets are reportedly interested in interviewing him for their vacant GM job. Their head coach Adam Gase is hoping to find somebody he knows and trusts. He and Kelly go all the way back to the Denver Broncos nine years ago. That familiarity is hard to ignore. No doubt it would be a tough loss for the Bears were it to happen.
Of course, the more informed fans will ask the inevitable question. Who takes his place as Assistant Director of Player Personnel should Kelly secure that job? Some may try to look at option outside the team. However, don’t expect that to happen. Pace has made it his mission to reward those inside the organization when possible, be it players or personnel staff.
Rest assured the team has their succession plan in place.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Mark Sadowski likely to replace Champ Kelly if he leaves
Some people might know the name Mark Sadowski. If you don’t, it’s okay. Lower level scouting staff don’t always get the limelight. Sadowski though has been a bit of an ace in the Bears organization for over a decade. People directly credit him as the one who got the team to draft Devin Hester out of Miami in 2006. Now he is their Director of College Scouting.
Three years ago, the Bears promoted Sadowski to that job. In that time they had some of their most sustained draft success in recent memory. Names like Cody Whitehair, Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, Eddie Jackson, James Daniels, Anthony Miller, and Bilal Nichols were secured under his watch. Four of those names have already been to the Pro Bowl.
Giving Sadowski a greater presence in the front office as Assistant Director of Player Personnel is a no brainer. He’s more than earned it for his years of service. A dedicated and capable replacement for Kelly if need be. They could then promote their star scout Sam Summerville into his Director of College Scouting job. Something that is also well-deserved.
So you see. The line of succession is very much secure for the Bears. A reminder of how deep their scouting capacity goes.
