Jets request to interview Bears’ Champ Kelly for GM job

After sending a shockwave through the NFL with the firing of general manager Mike Maccagnan, the New York Jets are searching to fill their GM vacancy.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Jets have reached out to speak with Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly for the job.

The #Jets requests for GM interviews have gone out, sources say. Among them: #Eagles VP Player Personnel Joe Douglas and #Bears Assistant Director of Player Personnel Champ Kelly. Two very respected evaluators.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 24, 2019

Kelly has ties to new Jets coach Adam Gase, as the pair worked together in both Denver and Chicago. Kelly spent eight seasons with the Broncos (2007-14), including the last five as assistant director of pro personnel.

In July 2017, the Bears promoted Kelly from pro scouting director to assistant director of player personnel.

But the likely favorite for the Jets’ GM job is another man with ties to the Bears and Gase: Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas, who was the Bears’ college scouting director in 2015.