NEWSLETTER
If it feels like the Chicago Bears’ search for a new general manager grows with each passing day, you’re not alone.
That’s because there has been a seemingly never-ending list of candidate that gets a new name every time I blink. So, what’s one more?
The #Bears put in a request to interview #Chargers Director of Player Personnel JoJo Wooden for their vacant GM job, source said. Wooden is a key lieutenant for GM Tom Telesco, who worked under Bill Polian… who is helping Chicago with its search.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2022
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport has the scoop on the latest Bears interview request. Rapoport reports the Bears want to interview Chargers Director of Player Personnel JoJo Wooden for the team’s GM vacancy. It’s an interesting nugget that Rapoport brings up in making the connection with Wooden to Bill Polian, the Super Bowl-winning Hall of Fame executive who is running point on the search. Polian employed Chargers GM Tom Telesco in Buffalo (intern), Carolina (scout), and in Indianapolis (a variety of roles). As is often the case in these searches, the person running them tends to lean on those they know. And I suppose this is the case with Wooden, thanks partly to Telesco.
For what it’s worth, Wooden has enough on his résumé to merit a discussion without a connection. Wooden has ample front office experience. Sixteen years in the Jets organization between 1997-2012 and in many different roles. Wooden held a variety of titles in New York, with the highest being the Director of Pro Scouting in 2004. Wooden came to the Chargers in 2013 and is the overseer of the team’s pro and college scouting departments. Considering how the Chargers have been more competitive than not through those years with more winning season (5) than losing campaigns (4), why not roll through with an interview?
I reckon the Bears could make a GM choice at any time if someone blows their socks off. But handicapping that feels like it would be a fool’s errand at this point. Nevertheless, we have another name to keep an eye on in this race.
