National Football League

Bears interview Chiefs' Ballard, Saints' Pace for GM job

Published Jan. 7, 2015 9:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) The Chicago Bears interviewed Kansas City Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard and New Orleans Saints director of player personnel Ryan Pace for their general manager job on Wednesday.

The Bears fired general manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman after going 5-11 and missing the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years.

Ballard spent 12 years in Chicago before joining the Chiefs in 2013. With the Bears, he was an area scout from 2001 to 2011 under former GM Jerry Angelo and served as director of scouting under Emery in 2012.

Ballard played a role in drafting Pro Bowl players Matt Forte, Johnny Knox, Charles Tillman, Tommie Harris, Nathan Vasher and Henry Melton during his time with the Bears.

Pace has been with the Saints since 2001 and just completed his second season as their director of player personnel. He has worked with general manager Mickey Loomis overseeing New Orleans' college and pro scouting operation.

The Bears interviewed Tennessee Titans vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson and Houston Texans director of pro personnel Brian Gaine for the GM job on Tuesday. They have also interviewed Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase for the coaching job.

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