Atlanta Falcons: Analyzing reported general manager candidate finalists

Chicago Bears Assistant Director of Player Personnel Champ Kelly

Another potential candidate on the shortlist of individuals on the list to take things over in the Falcons front office is current Chicago Bears assistant director of player personnel, Champ Kelly. Outside of having a great name with Champ Kelly, the experienced executive is in his second season in his current role with the Bears here in 2020.

Kelly began his football career as a player with the Lexington Horsemen in the National Indoor Football League/United Indoor Football from 2003-06. He then went on to serve as the wide receivers coach and general manager for the Horseman in 2007.

After that stint, Kelly broke into the NFL with the Denver Broncos, holding roles such as college scout, assistant coordinator of pro and college scouting and assistant director of pro personnel from 2007-2014. In 2015, Kelly joined the Bears to serve as the director of pro scouting from 2015-16 until he took over the assistant director of player personnel position.

Most recently in 2019, Kelly was a candidate for the general manager spot in the New York Jets organization, until the Jets went in a different direction and didn’t ultimately select Kelly to take over the decision making in the front office.

The fact that Kelly is once again a candidate and finalist for another general manager position shows that he is well respected and thought of throughout the NFL, and he could finally get his shot to take over a front office in 2021 with the Falcons.