Bears request to interview Jeff Ireland of Saints for open general manager job

The NFL’s postseason is set to begin but the league’s job interview season has already begun in earnest.

The Chicago Bears have requested an interview with Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Bears requested permission to interview Saints’ assistant GM Jeff Ireland for their GM job, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2022

Ireland has been with the Saints since 2015 and led that college scouting efforts that have helped the organization have notable success in the NFL Draft and undrafted free agency since his arrival. He was previously the Miami Dolphins’ general manager from 2008 to 2013.

The Bears are looking for a replacement for Ryan Pace, who was fired Monday. Pace was also hired from the Saints’ front office staff in 2015 after 14 years with New Orleans.